Animal models for studying female genital tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis

Infect Immun. 2013 Sep;81(9):3060-7. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00357-13. Epub 2013 Jul 8.

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen. It is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the world, with more than 100 million new cases of genital tract infections with C. trachomatis occurring each year. Animal models are indispensable for the study of C. trachomatis infections and the development and evaluation of candidate vaccines. In this paper, the most commonly used animal models to study female genital tract infections with C. trachomatis will be reviewed, namely, the mouse, guinea pig, and nonhuman primate models. Additionally, we will focus on the more recently developed pig model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlamydia Infections / microbiology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / pathology*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / microbiology*
  • Genital Diseases, Female / pathology*
  • Genitalia, Female / microbiology*
  • Genitalia, Female / pathology
  • Reproductive Tract Infections / microbiology*
  • Reproductive Tract Infections / pathology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / pathology