Immunopathology and histopathology of experimental chlamydial salpingitis

Experimental infection of fallopian tubes was produced in four sexually mature pig-tailed monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) by intratubal inoculation with serovar E or F Chlamydia trachomatis. Infection was confirmed by reisolation of the organism from both the endosalpinx and the endocervix. An antibody response to the infecting strain of C. trachomatis was demonstrated in monkey sera and in cervical secretions by the microimmunofluorescence test. A cellular immune response to C. trachomatis was shown by the in vitro lymphocyte transformation assay. Histopathologic examination of the endosalpinx following infection showed epithelial degeneration and deciliation of ciliated cells. Lymphocytic infiltration into both submucosa and mucosa was present at day 7 and approximated areas of epithelial cell degeneration. Two control monkeys remained unresponsive throughout the study. These results indicate that the pig-tailed macaque should be a suitable model for further studies of the pathogenesis of, immune responses to, and therapy for acute C. trachomatis salpingitis.