DETECTION OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC-ACID IN MONKEY MODELS (MACACA-NEMESTRINA) OF SALPINGITIS BY IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION - IMPLICATIONS FOR PATHOGENESIS

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether Chlamydia trachomatis persists in tubal tissues from monkey pocket models of chlamydial salp ingitis and tubal infertility and to relate its presence to disease pr ogression and histopathologic mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN: In situ hybrid ization was used to detect Chlamydia deoxyribonucleic acid in a monkey pocket model of salpingitis and in the direct tubal inoculation monke y model of tubal infertility. Results were correlated with culture and immunocytochemistry results and histopathologic characteristics. RESU LTS: Chlamydia deoxyribonucleic acid was detected in the mucosa, submu cosa, and deep tissues in the pocket model. In addition, it was presen t in peritubal adhesions from the direct inoculation model. Deoxyribon ucleic acid was found at sites of inflammation and when culture and im munocytochemistry studies were negative. CONCLUSION: The presence of C hlamydia trachomatis deoxyribonucleic acid at sites of inflammation an d tissue damage in monkey models of chlamydial salpingitis and tubal i nfertility suggests that Chlamydia persists and may be directly involv ed in the stimulation of the immune-mediated tissue destruction associ ated with Chlamydia trachomatis infections.