Immunity to vaginal reinfection in female guinea pigs infected sexually with Chlamydia of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis

Abstract

Guinea pig boars were inoculated intraurethrally with the chlamydial agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC). At the heights of their urethral infections, they were caged with sows in estrus. Whereas some of the sows were not previously exposed to GPIC agent, others received an intravaginal inoculation 5-8 wk earlier. Those sows for which infected boars provided the 1st exposure were challenged by intravaginal inoculation 5-8 wk later. Vaginal and conjunctival scrapings were taken regularly and stained for chlamydial inclusions. Titers of serum anti-GPIC antibodies and of vaginal secretory Ig[immunoglobulin]A anti-GPIC antibodies were determined by immunofluorescence. A sexually acquired vaginal GPIC infection induces immunity to manual reinfection of the vagina. Because of the high incidence of secondary conjunctival infections among the vaginally infected sows, a sound statistical basis could not be provided for the conclusion that manual infection of the vagina induces immunity to sexual reinfection. Vaginal GPIC infection induces formation of serum antibody and vaginal secretory IgA antibody.