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Immunology of chlamydial infections:Immunoregulation and immunomodulationFactors influencing the induction of protective immunity against Chlamydia. IntroductionIn general, the efficacy of a vaccine is influenced by the immunogenicity of the antigen and the immune status of the host. In particular, the mucosal immune response to a vaccine directed at mucosally laden pathogens is influenced by additional factors that include vector, adjuvant, route of administration, delivery vehicle, and hormones associated with the estrous cycle (for genital mucosal response). The significance of a combination of these requirements is associated with the fact that the most promising vaccine formulations may fail to establish the desired protective immunity due to inadequate delivery. Detailed knowledge of the effects of these factors may also furnish better insights into the immunoregulatory mechanisms controlling Th1 induction against chlamydia. In fact, a better understanding of these factors that have the potential to influence the induction of mucosal and systemic T cell response against chlamydial antigens provides a unique opportunity to manipulate vaccine designs and delivery to optimize immune activation to control an infection.
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