Abstract

Solco Trichovac is a vaccine of Lactobacillus acidophilus developed for treating trichomoniasis. The efficacy of the vaccine is reportedly due to cross reacting antibody being produced in people immunised with the lactobacillus bacteria. Several techniques, including enzyme linked immunosorbent, indirect immunofluorescence, immunoblot, and radioimmunoprecipitation assays were used to assess the extent of antigenic cross reactivity between Lactobacillus acidophilus and Trichomonas vaginalis. Data show a lack of antigenic relatedness between the Solco Trichovac lactobacilli and several strains of T vaginalis. Furthermore, antiserum to L acidophilus failed to inhibit trichomonad cytadherence or host cell killing, as is suggested by the producers of the Solco Trichovac vaccine.