Chlamydial heat shock proteins and trachoma.

Two chlamydial proteins (HSP-60 and HSP-70) have marked homology with bacterial and mammalian heat shock proteins. Previous studies have indicated that when inoculated into the eyes of immune animals, a Triton X-100 extract of chlamydia containing HSP-60 induces an ocular delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. The potential for HSP-70 to induce a similar reaction was tested in six cynomolgus monkeys that had been sensitized to both antigens by previous ocular chlamydial infection. Whereas the chlamydial extract containing HSP-60 induced a marked clinical response within 24 h of inoculation, no response followed inoculation of HSP-70 in the contralateral eye. The lack of a response to HSP-70 suggests that further assessment of its potential as a trachoma vaccine is warranted.