Vaccination of BALB/c Mice with an Alhydrogel Adjuvanted Whole Cell Trichomonas vaginalis Formulation

Abstract

A human safe, Alhydrogel adjuvanted whole cell Trichomonas vaginalis vaccine was tested for efficacy in a BALB/c mouse model of vaginal infection. Additionally, the systemic and local immune response were measured. Vaccination reduced incidence and increased clearance of infection, and induced both systemic and local humoral immune responses. CD4+ cells were detected in vaginal tissues following intravaginal challenge with T. vaginalis, but were not seen in uninfected mice. CD4+ cells were detected more often, earlier, and in greater numbers in vaccinated vaginal tissues compared to unvaccinated controls. Presence of CD4+ T cells following infection can have significant implications of increasing HIV susceptibility and transmission. These data suggest that the vaccine induces local and systemic immune responses, and confers significantly greater protection against vaginal challenge than unvaccinated vaginal challenge. These data support the potential for a human vaccine against T. vaginalis infection that could also impact the incidence of HIV infections.