Male Chlamydia Infections: The Key Role Of Macrophages In Testicular Dissemination And Disrupted Spermatogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,464.00
Summary
Male partners of couples seeking IVF, who are seropositive for Chlamydia, indicating a prior infection, often have significantly impaired sperm quality (reduced motility, increased DNA damage and abnormal sperm morphology). Our studies will define how Chlamydia are transported to the testis from the penis and how chronic chlamydial infection in the testis disrupts sperm development. We will also develop new antibiotic delivery systems to improve treatment of male chlamydial infections.
Genital Chlamydia infections have increased over 4-fold in the last decade. Untreated infections lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. These conditions are due to the inflammatory immune response elicited by infections that cause scarring and oviduct blockage. The proposed studies will determine how the immune system causes tissue damage and how this damage can be avoided to enable the development a vaccine that protects women against infection and infertility.
Mechanisms And Utilisation Of IFN-epsilon-mediated Protection Against Chlamydia Reproductive Tract Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,486.00
Summary
Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia ST ....Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia STDs.Read moreRead less
A Novel Reproductive Tract Factor That Protects Against Chlamydia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$541,133.00
Summary
Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia ST ....Chlamydia is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There are no vaccines that prevent infection or disease. We have discovered a new factor in the immune system (interferon-epsilon) that only occurs in the reproductive tract. If this factor is absent then Chlamydia infections are more severe. We will investigate how this factor protects against infection and if we can use it as a new agent against Chlamydia STDs.Read moreRead less