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Abstract Background Chlamydia trachomatis testing and treatment strategies have not decreased infection rates, justifying need for a chlamydia vaccine. A murine study showed that a vaccine consisting of major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps) E, F, G, and H elicited protective immunity; studies on human cellular immune responses to Pmps are sparse. Methods Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) responses to these 5 proteins were measured by ELISPOT in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from women returning for treatment of a positive chlamydia test. Responses were compared in those with spontaneous chlamydia clearance versus persisting infection at baseline and no reinfection versus reinfection at a 3-month follow-up visit. Results IFN-γ response to 1 or more proteins was detected in 39% at baseline and 51.5% at follow-up, most often to PmpE and MOMP. IFN-γ responses to MOMP were detected less often at follow-up versus baseline in women with reinfection, but were maintained in those without reinfection. Women with spontaneous clearance had a higher magnitude of IFN-γ response to PmpE and MOMP. Conclusions IFN-γ responses to these 5 C. trachomatis vaccine candidate proteins were heterogenous and primarily directed against MOMP and PmpE. Spontaneous chlamydia clearance and absence of reinfection may be clinical correlates of protection.
Dziadula et al. (Fri,) studied this question.