TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA RESPONSE TO INFECTION WITH CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS IN HUMAN FALLOPIAN-TUBE ORGAN-CULTURE

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether tumor necrosis factor- alpha is produced in response to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in the fallopian tube. STUDY DESIGN: Fallopian tubes were harvested at the time of abdominal hysterectomy and processed by standard tissue c ulture techniques. Tubal segments were inoculated with Chlamydia trach omatis serotype E/UW-5/CX. At 48 hours of incubation supernatant fluid was assayed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Tubal segments were stai ned for chlamydial inclusions and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by use o f immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Mean tumor necrosis factor- alpha levels for infected segments were 92.1 +/- 21.3 pg/ml (mean +/- SEM) and for control segments were 61.9 +/- 13.9 pg/ml (p = 0.03 by pa ired t test). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was predominantly localized in the tubal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is p roduced in response to chlamydial infection by the human fallopian tub e. It is an important proinflammatory cytokine and may promote the pro duction of other cytokines and immune-mediated damage of the fallopian tube.