Proliferative response of human lymphocytes to secretory and cellular antigens of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Lymphocytes from patients with active trichomoniasis showed a proliferative response when incubated in the presence of secretory and cellular products of either pathogenic or non-pathogenic Trichomonas vaginalis. Maximal responses were detected using 50 micrograms per ml protein after 5 days incubation. Lymphocytes from non-infected laboratory workers showed no response to these antigens. This indicates that delayed hypersensitivity reactions may act to modulate inflammatory responses in trichomoniasis.