Immune Response to <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>

Abstract

The antigenicity of Trichomonas vaginalis to elicit IgE antibody was examined in mice. The soluble antigen was prepared by sonication of in vitro cultured T. vaginalis lines. BALB/c mice were immunized by various doses of the antigen with alum followed by a booster injection on day 14 after primary injection of the protozoan antigen. The highest IgE antibody titer was found in mice immunized with 30 μg of the antigen. The IgE antibody response to Trichomonas antigen is regulated by at least two immune response genes: one localized in the I region (K to I-B subregions) of chromosome 17, the other in a not yet identified chromosome.

Inducible immunity to Trichomonas vaginalis in a mouse model of vaginal infection

“…Serologic tests have confirmed the presence of specific anti-T. vaginalis immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA, but with no specific protective role being identified to date (10,18,40,41,45). Although antitrichomonal antibody has been demonstrated in human cervicovaginal secretions by various immunological methods (31,37,41,42,46), there is no evidence that local vaginal immunoglobulins play a role in protection from T. vaginalis infection. The role of cell-mediated immunity in vivo has also not been well defined (30,46).…”

“…Although antitrichomonal antibody has been demonstrated in human cervicovaginal secretions by various immunological methods (31,37,41,42,46), there is no evidence that local vaginal immunoglobulins play a role in protection from T. vaginalis infection. The role of cell-mediated immunity in vivo has also not been well defined (30,46).…”