Persistence in the mouse gut as an important factor in oral immunogenicity of strains of V. cholerae.

The immune responses of mice following oral vaccination with two strains of live V. cholerae have been examined. A strain which persisted in the small intestine was a superior local immunogen by comparison with another non-persisting strain. Local persistence and the ability to induce a local immune response appeared to be correlated, since the two vibrio strains elicited identical responses when given parenterally.