VAGINAL IMMUNIZATION OF MONKEYS AGAINST URINARY-TRACT INFECTION WITH A MULTI-STRAIN VACCINE

Cynomolgus monkeys were treated with a vaccine containing 10 heat-kill ed uropathogenic bacteria including 6 Escherichia coli strains. The mu lti-strain vaccine was administered either as a vaginal surface immuno gen or intramuscularly. Following an induced E. coli cystitis, bladder infections were significantly reduced compared with controls at 1 and 2 weeks (intramuscular route) or 1 week (vaginal route) after UTI. Th is vaccine has been shown to be efficacious against cystitis in humans when given parenterally and has now proved efficacious in nonhuman pr imates by the vaginal mucosal route.