In vitro attraction of polymorphonuclear leucocytes by Trichomonas vaginalis

Boyden chambers were used to investigate the attraction of polymorphonuclear leucocytes to T. vaginalis. Chemotaxis to live organisms was demonstrated, and chemotaxis to T. vaginalis supernatant was shown to be concentration dependent. Both chemokinesis and true chemotaxis characterized the response to supernatants. There was no chemotaxis to the supernatant after it had been heated to 60 C for 1 hr, or to the supernatant from formalin-fixed T. vaginalis. The chemotactic factor in the supernatant did not pass through a dialysis membrane. Protein was found in the supernatant of T. vaginalis suspensions.