Congestion of the conjunctiva (4 of 7; 57%), the conchae (6 of 7; 86%) and the trachea (1 of 7; 14%), and swelling of the liver (5 of 7; 71%) and the spleen (6 of 7; 86%) were also observed. Apart from the tissues mentioned in Suppl. Table 1A, two turkeys of the control group also showed severe congested kidneys, while in two others, congestion of the small intestine could be observed.

The total lesion score group 4 (12.00) was significantly higher than the total SB431542 solubility dmso lesion scores of the vaccinated groups. However, total lesion scores of the vaccinated groups were not significantly different. Mean lesion scores per tissue were significantly higher for the controls (except for the trachea), but no significant differences were observed between the vaccinated groups. However, the mean values per tissue in Suppl. Table 1A certainly gave

interesting information. For the group 2, only 1 out of 4 (25%) turkeys revealed macroscopic lesions at euthanasia, namely slightly congested lungs. No other gross lesions were observed. As mentioned, there was no significant difference in the total lesion score (1.50) between groups 1 and 3. However, the number of affected organs was higher for group 3 than group 1 (4 versus 2). In group 1, two out of four (50%) turkeys showed few small fibrin deposits in the abdominal airsacs and the same two animals also had serous pericarditis. In group 3, one out of six (17%) turkeys showed slightly congested lungs, two out of six (33%) animals had few fibrin deposits in the abdominal

selleck airsacs, and one on six (17%) animals showed sero-fibrinous pericarditis and a slightly congested spleen. Thus, based on gross lesions, animals in the polyplex IM group were best protected. Protection in the plasmid IM group and the polyplex AE group was comparable. unless At euthanasia, chlamydial antigen was statistically more often detected in tissues of the control group (group 4) than in the vaccinated groups (Suppl. Table 1B). Immunofluorescence staining of tissues of this group revealed the presence of chlamydial antigen in the respiratory tract and pericardium of all animals (100%), and in the liver and the spleen in five out of seven (71%) control animals. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the mean chlamydial antigen scores per tissue for the vaccinated groups. However, protection seemed to be highest for group 2, as the total score (2.50) and the number of affected tissues (6) was the lowest. No chlamydial antigen was present in the lungs, the conjunctivae and the liver. On the other hand, chlamydial antigen was only absent in the trachea and conjunctivae of animals of group 1 and in the lungs of animals of group 3. Pharyngeal and cloacal swabs were examined for the presence of viable bacteria using culture in BGM cells. All swabs taken at day 1 of the experiment were negative.