Chlamydia trachomatis infection does not enhance local cellular immunity against concurrent Candida vaginal infection

Although Th1-type cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is the predominant host defe nse mechanism against mucosal Candida albicans infection, CMI against a vag inal C. albicans infection in mice is limited at the vaginal mucosa despite a strong Candida-specific Th1-type response in the draining lymph nodes. I n contrast, Th1-type CMI is highly effective against an experimental Chlamy dia trachomatis genital tract infection. This study demonstrated through tw o independent designs that a concurrent Candida and Chlamydia infection cou ld not accelerate or modulate the anti-Candida CMI response. Together, thes e results suggest that host responses to these genital tract infections are independent and not influenced by the presence of the other.