# BIOLOGY AND VIRULENCE OF TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER · 1987 · $108,821

## Abstract

Our research approach is to understand the virulence of Trichomonas
vaginalis through the identification and biochemical characterization of
membrane immunogens with important biological properties or functions.
Four major areas of research are emphasized:  i) immunochemical membrane
analysis of numerous long-term grown and fresh isolates targeting key
antigens as molecules governing heterogeneity; ii) assessment and
identification of (membrane) antigens shed or secreted by pathogenic
trichomonads; iii) parasite cytadsorption to host cells; and finally iv)
continued examination of the interaction between specific host
macromolecules and T. vaginalis.

Numerous methodologies will be employed which include standard
radiolabeling procedures, chromatographic and electrophoretic methods,
centrifugation-gradient procedures, antibody reagents, sensitive and
specific radio-immunoprecipitation assays, and
fluorescence-Nemarski-electron microscopy.  Our overall objective is to
identify highly immunogenic membrane antigens of T. vaginalis which possess
key biologic functions, such as ligands involved in host cytadherence or
receptors of specific host proteins, both processes essential for infection
of human hosts.  Studies in our laboratory presented in the Preliminary
Results section continue to show the progress and feasibility of our plan
at understanding this host-parasite relationship and using the pathogenic
human trichomonads as models.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128190
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018768-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C3KXNLTAAY98
- **Principal Investigator:** John F Alderete
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $108,821
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-04-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128190

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128190, BIOLOGY AND VIRULENCE OF TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS (5R01AI018768-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128190. Licensed CC0.

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