Recombinant Salmonella typhimurium aroA aroD mutants which expressed ovalbumin were constructed. The two expression constructs used were based on either pUC18 or pBR322. The pBR322-based construct was more stable in vitro and in vivo than the pUC-based construct. Salmonellae containing the stable pBR322-based plasmid induced major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), in contrast to salmonellae containing the pUC18-based expression construct. The priming of MHC class I-restricted CTL was increased by multiple immunizations. The study described in this report suggest that S. typhimurium delta aro mutants have the capacity to induce MHC class I-restricted CTL against carried antigens and that MHC class I-restricted CTL responses require stable in vivo expression of the target antigen. Further, the results indicate that the Salmonella typhi delta aro mutants currently undergoing evaluation in studies with humans may be good carriers of viral antigens with CTL determinants.