IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF GUINEA PIG INCLUSION CONJUNCTIVITIS

复发性眼部衣原体感染的发病机制是 被认为是免疫介导的（即，超敏反应）。 我们已经建立了一种动物模型来研究免疫学 在感染和攻击期间对衣原体抗原的反应。 我们选择了研究豚鼠的免疫病理学 包涵体结膜炎（GPIC）是一种鹦鹉热衣原体菌株， 在豚鼠中产生眼部和生殖器感染。 我们 具有临床、微生物学和组织学特征 原发性GPIC和迟发型超敏反应， 衣原体抗原 迟发型超敏反应发生 仅在先前通过GPIC在粘膜表面感染的动物中 剂 衣原体超敏抗原已经被 鉴定为具有57 kD的Mr的多肽。 我们有 使用豚鼠动物模型，开发了角膜移植模型， 混浊和血管化。 初次治疗期间的青霉素治疗 GPIC在网状细胞中阻止衣原体的发育周期 身体阶段，从而防止感染性颗粒的发展。 这些网状体保持在 并分泌衣原体抗原，这可能导致更多 通过宿主感染的严重结膜炎和角膜受累 免疫机制 这可能是一个有用的研究模式 导致沙眼失明的并发症。 我们 研究迟发型超敏反应在输卵管炎中的作用， 输卵管不孕症的豚鼠模型。 初步结果 表明原发性阴道或输卵管感染、水肿 和细胞浸润，类似于在延迟的 激发后输卵管发生超敏反应 与GPIC的Triton X-100提取物进行比较。 这种动物模型 衣原体引起的不孕症正在进一步发展。

The pathogenesis of recurrent ocular chlamydial infections is thought to be immunologically mediated (i.e., hypersensitivity). We have developed an animal model to study the immunological response to chlamydial antigens during infection and challenge. We have chosen to study the immunopathology of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC), a Chlamydia psittaci strain which produces both ocular and genital infections in guinea pigs. We have clinically, microbiologically, and histologically characterized primary GPIC and a delayed hypersensitivity response to a chlamydial antigen. The delayed hypersensitivity response occurs only in animals previously infected at a mucosal surface by GPIC agent. The chlamydial hypersensitivity antigen has been identified as a polypeptide with an Mr of 57 kD. We have developed, using the guinea pig animal model, a model for corneal opacity and vascularization. Penicillin treatment during primary GPIC arrest the chlamydial developmental cycle at the reticulate body stage and thus prevents development of infectious particles. These reticulate bodies are maintained within inclusions in the host cell and secrete chlamydial antigens which may lead to more severe conjunctivitis and corneal involvement through host immune mechanisms. This may prove a useful model to study complications leading to blindness in trachoma. We are investigating the role of delayed hypersensitivity in salpingitis and tubal infertility using the guinea pig model. Preliminary results indicate following a primary vaginal or oviductal infection, edema and cellular infiltration similar to that seen in a delayed hypersensitivity response occurs in the oviduct upon challenge with the Triton X-100 extract of GPIC. This animal model of chlamydial caused infertility is being further developed.