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Experimental infection of man with rabbit-virulent Treponema paraluis-cuniculi
Abstract:
Virulent Treponema paraluis-cuniculi was inoculated intradermally into the arm of a human volunteer and into the shaved backs of 10 rabbits. An identical, but heat-killed, preparation was inoculated into the opposite arm of the volunteer as control. A superficial and transient infection developed in the volunteer, shown by a small zone of erythema that persisted for 24 days. The control preparation caused a smaller zone of erythema that disappeared after five days. A very poor immune response was detected by standard serological tests for syphilis. The inoculated rabbits developed lesions about six days after infection and seroconverted by 84 days. The poor antitreponemal antibody response to T paraluis-cuniculi infection in the volunteer suggests that this naturally attenuated treponeme may not be suitable as a vaccine against infection with t pallidum in humans.
Insights
A study found that Treponema paraluis-cuniculi caused a mild infection in a human volunteer, with a poor immune response. This suggests it may not be a suitable vaccine candidate for syphilis (caused by T. pallidum).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Treponema paraluis-cuniculi is a bacterium that infects rabbits.
- The potential of T. paraluis-cuniculi as a vaccine against human syphilis (caused by T. pallidum) is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the infectivity and immunogenicity of virulent Treponema paraluis-cuniculi in a human volunteer and rabbits.
- To assess the suitability of T. paraluis-cuniculi as a potential vaccine against T. pallidum.
Main Methods:
- Intradermal inoculation of virulent T. paraluis-cuniculi into a human volunteer and rabbits.
- Control inoculation with a heat-killed preparation in the volunteer.
- Monitoring of lesions and serological tests for immune response.
Main Results:
- The human volunteer developed a superficial, transient infection with erythema lasting 24 days.
- Rabbits developed lesions and seroconverted by 84 days.
- A poor antitreponemal antibody response was observed in the volunteer.
Conclusions:
- T. paraluis-cuniculi infection in humans elicits a weak immune response.
- This bacterium may not be a suitable candidate for a vaccine against human syphilis.