Effect of <i>C. caviae</i> Vaccination on Histopathological Lesions in the Genital tract from Guinea pigs following Chlamydial Challenge.

<p>The genital tracts from each humanely euthanized guinea pig were removed at day 80 post <i>C. caviae</i> challenge fixed and embedded and then sectioned, and analyzed microscopically after H&E staining. (A) Representative photomicrographs of histological sections from uterine tissues are shown for each group of challenged guinea pigs with <i>C. caviae</i> EB vaccination (EB, n = 3) or mock vaccinated (Mock, n = 3). The superimposed images are magnifications of the regions of the indicated boxes to show details of inflammatory cell infiltration (c and f) and hemorrhage (a and d). Original magnification of the images (b and e) is ×200, while a, c, d and f are ×400. The light blue dash lines mark superficial layer exfoliation of the endometrial epithelium of the uterus (b), whereas the light blue solid lines indicate the intact endometrial epithelium of the uterus (e). Histopathological injury scores were calculated from five distinct morphological parameters (inflammatory cell infiltration, superficial layer exfoliation, edema, congestion and hemorrhage) in the uterus (B). Scores were calculated by examination of 5 consecutive sections (2 mm-interval) in every animal. Graphs expressed as mean ± SD, and compared using paired <i>t</i>- test. The asterisk indicates statistically significant differences (* <i>p</i><0.05) between the <i>C. caviae</i> group and the mock group for the respective parameter.