Effect of immunization on experimental Bacteroides gingivalis infection in a murine model.

BALB/c mice were immunized with an invasive (A7A1-28) or noninvasive (381) Bacteroides gingivalis strain, Bacteroides intermedius, or Ringer solution. All immunized mice were subsequently challenged with the invasive B. gingivalis strain and examined for septicemia or secondary spread of the infection or both. Mice immunized with the invasive B. gingivalis strain localized the infection to the challenge site. Mice immunized with the noninvasive B. gingivalis strain, B. intermedius, or Ringer solution developed spreading infections. These data suggest that immunization with an invasive B. gingivalis strain can alter the course of subsequent infections.