Studies on a Murine Model of Trichomoniasis

Markham, Dianne J (1988) Studies on a Murine Model of Trichomoniasis. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

A mouse model of trichomoniasis was developed using T. vaqinalis,intravaqinally inoculated into Balb/c mice. Although the infection rates obtained were not consistently, or frequently, 100%, over 2/3 of experiments yielded rates of over 50%. Estrogen-treatment of mice, prior to intravaginal inoculation with the parasites, was found to be necessary for the establishment of infection but other variables such as route, timing and amount of estrogen, diet fed to mice, age and breed of mice and variables in maintenance of the parasite line proved to be of less importance. The administration of ferric ammonium citrate, prior to infection, was found to significantly increase the infection rates. The role of the pH of the vagina and the iron and zinc content of the vaginal secretions was also investigated. The pH of the murine vagina was found to be around neutral and this was not affected by estrogen-treatment or the presence of infection. Treatment of the mouse with iron, however, does significantly increase the vaginal pH. The iron and zinc content of the vagina was extremely low. The importance of the murine immune response was also investigated by the use of SolcoTrichovac, a vaccine in use for the treatment of trichomoniasis, and 'vaccines' prepared from parasite homogenates. Neither of these preparations appeared to have any therapeutic effect. Overall, although this mouse model is not ideal for studying trichomoniasis,it proved to be useful in study of the vaginal microenvironment, and its relationship with the presence of T. vaginalis, and an investigation of the immune response to infection.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Parasitology
• Date of Award: 1988
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1988-77678
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2020 11:53
• Last Modified: 14 Jan 2020 11:53
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/77678