Inhibition of growth of Chlamydia trachomatis by nonoxynol-9 in vitro

Abstract

We evaluated the ability of the widely used spermicide nonoxynol-9, Conceptrol gel containing nonoxynol-9, and Conceptrol vehicle (without nonoxynol-9) to inhibit the formation of inclusions of Chiamydia trahomais in cycloheximide-treated McCoy cells. Conceptrol vehicle produced a non-dose-related 40 to 59% reduction of the number of inclusions formed. In contrast, the addition of nonoxynol-9 and Conceptrol gel containing nonoxynol-9 at a concentration of 100 ig/ml reduced the number of inclusions by 84 to 95%. Prolongation of contact between nonoxynol-9 and the chlamydial organisms from 90 to 180 min did not result in additional inhibition. Using a higher concentration of chiamydial organisms and diluting the drug-chiamydia mixture before inoculation of the monolayers, we were able to test higher concentrations of nonoxynol-9. At concentrations of 100 to 5,000 tig of nonoxynol-9 per ml, a dose-related 19 to 84% reduction of the number of inclusions was noted.The recognition in recent years of Chlamydia trachomatis as one of the mnost common sexually transmitted pathogens (5, 7) has led to the current interest in these agents (6). Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular parasites with a unique developmental cycle (8). Like other bacterial infections, chlamydial diseases are amenable to treatment with antimicrobial agents.Several studies have shown that spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 inhibit the growth in vitro of Treponema pallidum (9), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (9), and herpes simplex virus (1, 10). Studies suggesting a protective effect of these drugs against genital infection in vivo have also been published (3, 4).This investigation was undertaken to assess the effect of nonoxynol-9 on the growth of C. trachomatis in cell culture. MATERIALS AND METHODSOur media, reagents, materials, and procedures for handling cells and stock cultures and for chlamydial cultivation have been previously reported (2).Three-day-old McCoy cells were suspended in growth medium at a concentration of 2.8 x 105 cells per ml. To achieve a confluent monolayer, 1 ml of this suspension was inoculated onto 12-mm cover slips in 15-mm vials and incubated for 24 h at 370C in 3.5% CO2. A type D laboratory-adapted strain of C. trachomatis, originally isolated from a newborn with inclusion copjunctivitis, was used. This isolate was kindly supplied by Julius Schachter (World Health Organization Reference Center for Chlamydial Infections, San Francisco, Calif.).Conceptrol gel (Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp., Raritan, N.J.), an over-the-counter preparation containing 4% nonoxynol-9, was tested,: as were pure nonoxynol-9 and Conceptrol vehicle, which contained all of the components of Conceptrol gel except nonoxynol-9. These products were provided through the courtesy of Bodhar M. Malyk (Ortho). * Corresponding author. 724The products containing nonoxynol-9 were diluted in growth medium to achieve final concentrations of 1 to 200 ,ug of nonoxynol-9 per ml. The Conceptrol vehicle was diluted in amounts equivalent to those of Conceptrol gel. Chlamydial st...

Thermoreversible Gel Formulations Containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or n -Lauroylsarcosine as Potential Topical Microbicides against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

“…This product has been shown to be effective against numerous sexually transmitted pathogens in vitro, including HIV-1 (1,3,4,12,20,21,27,32). However, the in vivo efficacy of nonoxynol-9 against HIV-1 has never been clearly established, and the results of clinical studies are controversial.…”

Effects of antimicrobial agents on growth and chemotaxis of Trichomonas vaginalis

“…The two isolates we tested were susceptible to these drugs in vitro, but no in vivo data support their use for T. vaginalis infections. Also, the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 inhibits and repels trichomonads and has been shown in the past to have the ability to inhibit the growth of several other sexually transmitted pathogens (2). Active motility of the organisms could be related to the response to treatment of T. vaginalis infections.…”

Biosynthesized Tea Polyphenols Inactivate Chlamydia trachomatis In Vitro

“…Results obtained with topical antichlamydial agents such as nonoxynol-9 (3,8,10), monocaprin (4), C31G (14), cecropin peptides (1), and protegrins (17) have been reported. Disinfectants containing products such as chlorhexidine gluconate gel (9) and the spermicide benzalkonium chloride (2) have also been shown to inactivate C. trachomatis.…”