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Infection and Immunity, November 1998, p. 5113-5118, Vol. 66, No. 11
Department of Vaccines,
Received 9 April 1998/Returned for modification 9 June
1998/Accepted 18 August 1998
Cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses play a major role in
protection as well as pathogenesis of many intracellular bacterial infections. In this study, we evaluated the infection kinetics and
assessed histologically the lymphoid reactions and local, in
vitro-restimulated CMI responses in lungs of BALB/c mice, during both
primary infection and reinfection with Chlamydia
pneumoniae. The primary challenge resulted in a self-restricted
infection with elimination of culturable bacteria by day 27 after
challenge. A mild lymphoid reaction characterized the pathology in the
lungs. In vitro CMI responses consisted of a weak proliferative
response and no secretion of gamma interferon (IFN-
0019-9567/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Local Immune Responses to Chlamydia
pneumoniae in the Lungs of BALB/c Mice during Primary Infection
and Reinfection

). The number of
lung-derived mononuclear cells increased substantially during the
primary infection; the largest relative increase was observed in B
cells (B220+). After reinfection, the number of
lung-derived mononuclear cells increased further, and the response
consisted mainly of T cells. The reinfection was characterized in vivo
by significant protection from infection (fewer cultivable bacteria in
the lungs for a shorter period of time) but increased local lymphoid
reaction at the infection site. In vitro, as opposed to the response in
naive mice, acquired immunity was characterized by a strongly
Th1-biased (IFN-
) CMI response. These results suggest that repeated
infections with C. pneumoniae may induce Th1-type responses
with similar associated tissue reactions, as shown in C. trachomatis infection models.
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of
Vaccines, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300 Helsinki, Finland. Phone: 358-9-4744 8565. Fax: 358-9-4744 8347. E-mail: nina.rautonen{at}ktl.fi.
Present address: Department of Medicine, University of California,
San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.
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