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Microbiological, serological, and histopathological features of experimental Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis in
Abstract:
A laboratory-passaged genital strain of Chlamydia trachomatis and two unpassaged genital strains from patients with nongonococcal urethritis were inoculated intraurethrally into three young male chimpanzees. Chlamydia were recovered from the urethra of two animals and specific antibody responses were detected in all of them. Furthermore, a urethral polymorphonuclear leucocyte response, but not an overt discharge, occurred in all the chimpanzees about 1-2 weeks after inoculation. None of these events occurred in a chimpanzee inoculated with medium only. At necropsy three months after inoculation the submucosa of the urethra of one chimpanzee was densely infiltrated with small round cells. This suggests that a similar chronic lymphocytic response may occur in human chlamydial infection of the urethra.
Insights
This study shows that chimpanzees infected with Chlamydia trachomatis developed urethral inflammation and antibody responses. Chronic lymphocytic infiltration in the urethra suggests a similar response may occur in human chlamydial infections.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Primatology
Background:
- Nongonococcal urethritis is a common infection in men.
- Chlamydia trachomatis is a leading cause of nongonococcal urethritis.
- Animal models are crucial for understanding chlamydial pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Chlamydia trachomatis inoculation in a primate model.
- To evaluate the host response to Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the chimpanzee urethra.
- To explore potential chronic pathological changes induced by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Main Methods:
- Three young male chimpanzees were intraurethrally inoculated with Chlamydia trachomatis strains.
- Chlamydial recovery, antibody response, and urethral inflammation were monitored.
- Histopathological examination of urethral tissue was performed at necropsy.
Main Results:
- Chlamydia trachomatis was recovered from the urethra of two inoculated chimpanzees.
- Specific antibody responses were detected in all inoculated animals.
- Urethral polymorphonuclear leukocyte response was observed, with chronic lymphocytic infiltration noted in one animal at necropsy.
Conclusions:
- Chimpanzees experimentally infected with Chlamydia trachomatis exhibit host responses similar to human infections.
- The study suggests that chronic lymphocytic infiltration may be a feature of human chlamydial urethritis.
- This primate model provides insights into the pathogenesis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections.