EXPERIMENTAL GENITAL-TRACT INFECTION WITH CHLAMYDIA-PSITTACI (GPIC AGENT) IN MALE RATS

The course of experimental chlamydial infection of the male genital tr act was studied. Inoculation of the Chlamydia psittaci agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC agent) into the vas deferens of ra ts resulted in chlamydial infection of the epididymis; testis and the prostate gland. The inflammatory response was most prominent at 14 day s after infection. Chlamydiae were recovered from the epididymides and the prostate glands for up to 90 and 60 days post inoculation, respec tively. Histopathological changes associated with chlamydial infection of the epididymis or prostate gland were characterized by intratubula r and interstitial purulent inflammation. Chlamydia-specific IgM- and IgG-antibodies were found in sera of nearly all infected animals. Resu lts of this study indicate that this animal model may be useful to stu dy the pathogenesis,immune responses and sequelae of chlamydial infect ions of the male genital tract.