Chlamydia trachomatis infection: host immune responses and potential vaccines

Mucosal Immunol. 2008 Mar;1(2):116-30. doi: 10.1038/mi.2007.19. Epub 2008 Jan 9.

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis causes genital tract infections that affect men, women, and children on a global scale. This review focuses on innate and adaptive immune responses in the female reproductive tract (FRT) to genital tract infections with C. trachomatis. It covers C. trachomatis infections and highlights our current knowledge of genital tract infections, serovar distribution, infectious load, and clinical manifestations of these infections in women. The unique features of the immune system of the FRT will be discussed and will include a review of our current knowledge of innate and adaptive immunity to chlamydial infections at this mucosal site. The use of animal models to study the pathogenesis of, and immunity to, Chlamydia infection of the female genital tract will also be discussed and a review of recent immunization and challenge experiments in the murine model of chlamydial FRT infection will be presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / immunology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / pathology
  • Chlamydia Infections / prevention & control
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / immunology*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / pathogenicity
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mucous Membrane / immunology*
  • Mucous Membrane / microbiology
  • Mucous Membrane / pathology

Substances

  • Bacterial Vaccines