Induction of antibody response to Chlamydia trachomatis in the genital tract by oral immunization.

Groups of BALB/c mice were orally immunized with Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2/434/Bu in order to characterize the nature and kinetics of the chlamydial antibody response in the cervix and other mucosal sites. These animals were subsequently challenged intravaginally to determine whether oral immunization offers protection against chlamydial antigen shedding in the genital tract. Following oral immunization, immunoglobulin A antibody activity was detected in the genital tract as well as other mucosal sites.