Unveiling a local immune response in chlamydial infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterium that causes ocular and genital infections and affects millions worldwide. It can lead to serious health problems, such as blindness, infertility, and complications during pregnancy. Often, these infections go unnoticed because they do not always cause symptoms, making them difficult to detect and treat early. Despite decades of research, scientists are still working to understand how the immune system protects us against Chlamydia. This knowledge is essential for developing more effective vaccines to prevent chlamydial infections. Our research aims to explore how the immune system responds to Chlamydia under two important scenarios: exposure to different amounts of the bacteria and repeated infections. To tackle these questions, we will use advanced imaging technologies, like whole-body PET scans, to visualize immune cell activity and its interactions throughout the body in real-time. This innovative approach will provide valuable insights into how the immune system fights Chlamydia and reveal patterns of immune activity that have never been studied in this context. We are also investigating whether Chlamydia has specific hiding spots in the body that allow it to persist and cause recurring infections. To address these challenges, we will work with the guinea pig model, which closely mirrors human chlamydial infections, making it a powerful tool for uncovering the mechanisms behind this complex disease. Additionally, we will study how immune responses differ between males and females, which could help us design more personalized treatments and prevention strategies. This project is led by Dr. Aleksandra Inic-Kanada from the Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, with collaboration from Dr. Cécile Philippe from the Department of Nuclear Medicine, MUW and Dr. Martin Holland, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Together, we aim to provide answers to critical questions about Chlamydia, improving the health and lives of people affected by this common but often overlooked infection.