Efficacy of an Immune Modulator in ExperimentalChlamydia trachomatisInfection of the Female Genital Tract

[摘要] Objective.The aim of this study was to determine if vaginal application of the immune response modifierimiquimod (Aldara cream, 3M Pharmaceuticals, St Paul, Minn) wouldalter the course and/or outcome of female genital tract infectionwith a human isolate ofChlamydia trachomatisin a murinemodel.Methods.Groups of CF-1 mice were treated withAldara on three different schedules: (1) ongoing beginning 5 daysprior to and continuing through day 5 of infection; (2) a singleprophylactic dose 2 hours prior to infection; and (3) therapeuticfrom day 4 to day 14 of infection. Mice were infectedvaginally with a serovar D strain ofC trachomatis, andmonitored by culture to determine the level of shedding andduration of infection.Results.We observed a significantreduction in both duration of infection and the level of sheddingduring the acute phase in mice treated on an ongoing basiscommencing 5 days prior to infection. There was no effect with respect to the other regimens.Conclusion.These results demonstrate that ongoing Aldara treatment hasefficacy and may enhance local innate immunity which reduces theduration of subsequent infection with human isolates ofCtrachomatisin a murine model of female genital tract infection.

[学科分类] 妇产科学