No abstract

Treatment of HEp-2 cell cultures with highly purified human gamma interferon before infection resulted in the reduction of Chlamydia trachomatis (L2/434/Bu) infectious particle yield. Electron microscope studies showed that interferon did not affect chlamydial conversion to reticulate bodies but influenced the extent of maturation to elementary bodies. High interferon concentrations (>350 IU/ml) inhibited inclusion body formation and resulted in the appearance of aberrant reticulate bodies.

Purified human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF) alpha inhibited the growth of Chiamydia trachomatis (L2/434fBu) in HEp-2 cell cultures. The inhibition of C. trachomatis yield could be achieved even when the rTNF alpha (200 ng/ml) was added up to 12 h after infection. The effect of rTNF alpha on chlamydial infection was synergistic with that of gamma interferon.