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PubMed2006

Is the presence of Trichomonas on a Pap smear associated with an increased incidence of bacterial vaginosis?

OBJECTIVE: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with significant morbidity. Bacterial vaginosis is due to an overgrowth of anaerobic organisms in the vagina. It has been postulated that the presence of Trichomonas creates an anaerobic environment that favors BV. Thus, BV should be more frequent in the presence of Trichomonas if Trichomonas is creating a favorable anaerobic environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of Pap test reports was performed for a diagnosis of coccobacilli consistent with shift in vaginal flora, that is, the presence of clue cells. Cases were Pap smears with Trichomonas identified. Controls were cases without Trichomonas. Results were analyzed using Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Four hundred cases were reviewed; 200 with and 200 without Trichomonas. The incidence of BV was significantly higher in the Trichomonas group (46.5%) than in group without Trichomonas (24.5%) (p < .0001.). CONCLUSION: The presence of Trichomonas on a Pap smear is associated with an increased incidence of BV. The report of Trichomonas on a Pap smear should prompt clinical consideration that BV may be present.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in men at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

This study determined the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in young men who were at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases; compared different diagnostic tests for trichomonads; and compared sexual behavior of men with positive and negative trichomonas test results. Men (85) aged 16-22 years inclusive, were recruited from a job-training program to participate in this study. Urethral specimens were obtained after prostatic massage for the isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and trichomonads. The diagnosis of trichomonas infection was made by urethral culture, urine sediment culture, direct examination of urine sediment, direct specimen test (DFA), and Papanicolaou (PAP) smear of urethral swab. Trichomonas vaginalis was seen in 58% of the men, gonorrhoea in 23.5%, chlamydia in 29%, pediculosis in 6%, and condyloma acuminata in 7%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in age of the participants, frequency of intercourse, and number of sexual partners in the last 3 months in men with positive and negative trichomonas test results. After controlling for gonorrhoea, pyuria was significantly associated with trichomonas-positive urine (P = .01). No single test was ideal for the diagnosis of trichomonas infection. Using a combination of urethral culture and urine sediment culture as the "gold standard," DFA was 60% sensitive and 73.0% specific. However, urine sediment culture along with DFA identified 94% of all men with positive trichomonas test results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis in pregnancy: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis during pregnancy decreases the risk of preterm birth and associated adverse outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Pre-MEDLINE and MEDLINE (1966-2003), EMBASE (1980-2003), and the Cochrane Library were searched using the keywords "bacterial vaginosis", "Trichomonas", "Trichomonas vaginalis", "Trichomonas vaginitis", "Trichomonas infections", "pregnancy", "pregnant", "antibiotics", and "antibiotic prophylaxis". METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: The search produced 1,888 titles, of which 1,256 abstracts were reviewed further. Of these, 1,217 were ineligible. Inclusion criteria were the following: randomized controlled trials in which antibiotics were compared with no antibiotic or placebo, for women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy with symptomatic or asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis, intact membranes, and not in labor. Exclusion criteria were as follows: published in a language other than English, dropout rate of more than 20% of women in either group, and lack of usable outcomes. Of the 39 papers reviewed in detail, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: One of the authors reviewed titles obtained from the searches, and 2 reviewers independently reviewed the abstracts, excluded those that were ineligible, identified eligible papers, and abstracted the data. For women with bacterial vaginosis, antibiotics reduced the risk of persistent infection but did not reduce the risk of preterm birth or the incidence of associated adverse outcomes for the general population or for any subgroup analyzed. For women with Trichomonas vaginalis, metronidazole reduced the risk of persistent infection but increased the incidence of preterm birth. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the conclusions of 3 recent systematic reviews, we found no evidence to support the use of antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis in pregnancy to reduce the risk of preterm birth or its associated morbidities in low- or high-risk women.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1977

[Trichomonas vaginalis and cytological findings (author's transl)].

The detection of Trichomonas vaginalis by the method of the Papanicolaou smear has proven as suitable. Alterations of surface cells in the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis are described, and causal relations between atypic cells and Trichomonas vaginalis are discussed. From a total of 13000 in investigations of cancer screening in 1975, an infection with Trichomonas vaginalis was found in 850 cases = 6,69 p.c. In contrast to this result 28 p.c. of the 116 patients with cancer of precancer of the cervix uteri had a simultaneous infection with Trichomonas vaginalis. These results suggest the possibility of a relationship between the incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis and atypic cell alterations. Therefore it is necessary for the cytologist to search for Trichomonas vaginalis in cancer-screenings and to inform the gynaecologist in case of a positive finding. All exact posttherapeutic control is indicated to find out the presence of a potentially malignant atypia of cells or of reversible reactive cell alterations.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Treatment of Trichomonas in pregnancy and adverse outcomes of pregnancy: a subanalysis of a randomized trial in Rakai, Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the association of presumptive Trichomonas vaginalis treatment during pregnancy and birth outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A community-randomized trial of presumptive sexually transmitted disease treatment during pregnancy was conducted between 1994 and 1999 in Rakai district, Uganda. A subanalysis of a trial of presumptive therapy with azithromycin, cefixime, and metronidazole assessed Trichomonas vaginalis treatment in pregnant women. RESULTS: Children of 94 women with Trichomonas who were treated had increased low birth weight (relative risk, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.12-5.50), preterm birth rate (relative risk, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.81-2.02), and 2-year mortality rate (relative risk, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.99-2.52), compared with children of 112 women with Trichomonas who were not treated. CONCLUSION: Treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis during pregnancy may be deleterious, and we infer that this may be due to metronidazole. This is consistent with a National Institute for Child Health and Human Development trial that found an excess of preterm births in children of women with Trichomonas vaginalis infection who were treated with metronidazole.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Clinical impact of identifying Trichomonas vaginalis on cervicovaginal (Papanicolaou) smears.

The purpose of this study was to understand how clinicians manage asymptomatic women after Trichomonas has been reported on Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. Clinical information was obtained from questionnaires sent to healthcare providers whenever Trichomonas was identified during the study period. Trichomonas was identified in 173 (1.4%) of 12,547 Pap smears examined. Completed questionnaires were returned on 95 (55%) patients, and 92 patients were included in this study. Sixty-three (68%) patients were asymptomatic, 16 (18%) had symptoms characteristic of infection, and 13 (14%) had nonspecific symptoms. Twenty-six (28%) patients received treatment during the original clinic visits. After the Pap smear reported Trichomonas, 49 (81%) of the 66 patients were contacted and treated, 7 (12%) were contacted and scheduled for further evaluation, and no action was taken on the remaining 10 (17%) patients. There was a significant association between presenting with symptoms and receiving treatment at the time of the original visit (P < 0.001), but not with receiving subsequent treatment. Clinical suspicion of infection was also associated with receiving treatment at the time of the original visit only (P < 0.001). Clinical suspicion of infection correlated with symptoms and results of wet mount smears (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the Pap smear report of Trichomonas identification directly impacted the management of 61% of patients and served as confirmation for clinical management in another 28% who had received treatment at the time of original visit. Despite the fact that most patients were asymptomatic, the majority received treatment and/or evaluation after the Pap smear report was received.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the Affirm Ambient Temperature Transport System for the detection and identification of Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Candida species from vaginal fluid specimens.

The objective of this study was to measure the performance of the Affirm Ambient Temperature Transport System (ATTS) over time and to estimate the length of time the system can preserve a vaginal specimen containing the three common organisms causing vaginitis: Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida species, and Gardnerella vaginalis (one of the causative agents of bacterial vaginosis). Women with symptoms of vaginitis presenting to one of three clinical centers were evaluated over a 4- to 8-week period. Four simultaneously obtained swabs were collected and tested by the Affirm VPIII assay at time zero with and without a preservative reagent, at 24 h with reagent, and at either 48 or 72 h with reagent. For each of the three organisms, Trichomonas, Gardnerella, and Candida, positivity at each time point was evaluated and compared to that at reference time zero with and without the ATTS. A total of 940 specimens were obtained from the three clinical sites. Eight hundred three were positive for one or more of the three organisms. Gardnerella had the highest overall positive rate (62%), followed by Candida with 18% and Trichomonas at 9%. The percent sensitivity versus control for Trichomonas ranged from 100% at time zero with and without reagent to 91% by 72 h. Gardnerella and Candida sensitivity remained at 100% for each time period. The Affirm VPIII ATTS system performed within 10% of the control swab (no transport reagent) at all four time points (0, 24, 48, and 72 h) for Trichomonas, Gardnerella, and Candida.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Trichomonas Vaginalis-Associated Empyema: a Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: This report describes a rare case of empyema caused by Trichomonas vaginalis co-infected with Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus pyogenes, aiming to explore the role of T. vaginalis in the development of empyema, its diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies. METHODS: The patient was a 46-year-old male who presented with cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath. The diagnosis was made using chest CT, routine pleural fluid analysis, bacterial culture, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Pleural fluid examination revealed numerous motile Trichomonas organisms, and bacterial culture identified Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus pyogenes as the pathogens. Fur-ther mNGS confirmed these bacteria as the causative agents, with 39 Trichomonas sequences detected, including 32 sequences specific to T. vaginalis. RESULTS: The patient received combination antimicrobial therapy and underwent chest tube drainage and thoracoscopic empyema debridement. Post-treatment, the patient's condition significantly improved. A literature review revealed that while Trichomonas tenax is a common pathogen in empyema, T. vaginalis is an extremely rare cause. T. vaginalis infection may be associated with bacterial co-infections, immunosuppression, or poor hygiene. CONCLUSIONS: This case is the first report of T. vaginalis induced empyema, expanding the understanding of Trichomonas infections. Although such infections are rare, they should be considered in high-risk patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the infection pathways of T. vaginalis and its mechanisms of bacterial synergy in disease pathogenesis to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in and around Surat.

Trichomonas culture method was used for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis along with gram staining and wet mount preparation. We selected 51 urban women and 51 rural women in this study. Samples were taken from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Out of 102 samples 35 samples were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis by culture method. 20 women were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis by wet mount and 15 by gram staining technique. So it is a fact that culture of Trichomonas vaginalis is a "gold standard" in the diagnosis of trichomoniasis. As we had the opportunity to compare both urban and rural women in our study we were able to come to the conclusion that incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis is more in urban women than in rural women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[RNA interference to the expression of peroxiredoxin-related genes in Trichomonas vaginalis].

OBJECTIVE: To inhibit the expression of the target genes of peroxiredoxin (Prx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) by RNA interference and evaluate its effect on the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from cultured Trichomonas vaginalis with phenol-chloroform method and was transcribed to double stranded RNA (dsRNA). Short interference RNAs (siRNA, 21-23 bp) synthesized by digestion of dsRNA with RNase III and purified through filter cartridge, were transfected into the cells in three groups (A, B and C) to degrade the target genes of Prx, TrxR and Prx+TrxR through siPORT lipid, respectively, and the untransfected was selected as a control (group D). The levels of Prx and TrxR mRNA were determined 24 h and 48 h post-transfection by relative quantitative RT-PCR, and the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis was estimated under microscope 36 h post-transfection. RESULTS: Trichomonas vaginalis mRNA levels of Prx and TrxR decreased. Though the cell activity showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in four groups as expected, a difference existed (P < 0.01) between the groups in the average of vells (7.2 x 10(7)/L, 14.2 x 10(7)/L, 3.8 x l0(7) L and 20.3 x 10(7)/L in groups A, B, C and D respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RNA interference inhibits the expression of the genes of Prx and TrxR and extended Trichomonas vaginalis cells cycle considerably, but showed no influence on the cell activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

In vivo and in vitro studies of tinidazole in Trichomonas vaginalis infection.

A total 787 patients with complaints of vaginal discharges were examined, of which 106 patients were found to be positive for Trichomonas vaginalis by the normal saline method, and 114 patients were positive by the culture method. In the in vivo series, 55 patients were treated with a single dose of 1.8 gm of tinidazole, and with a follow-up examination 7 days there after. For the in vitro study 55 swab specimens were cultured to study the tinidazole sensitivity of Trichomonas vaginalis. The survival of Trichomonas vaginalis at each concentration of tinidazole was presented as a cumulative frequency. At the concentration of 1 microgram/ml, none of the organisms were killed; but at the concentration of 6 micrograms/ml, the mortality rate was 100%. In the in vivo series a 100% cure rate was obtained with tinidazole with no side effects, and in vitro series the mean minimum trichomonicidal concentration (MCC) at 24 hours was 3.76 +/- 1.25 micrograms/ml, with the range of 2--6 micrograms/ml. These studies revealed the sensitivity of Trichomonas vaginalis to tinidazole in Thailand and that tinidazole at a single oral dose of 1.8 gm perferably after a meal is effective, safe and cheap for the treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Vulvovaginitis caused by Candida spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis in sexually active women].

Vulvovaginitis accounts for 20 to 30% of gynecological diseases and it is observed in women from 20 to 30 years of age. It has a higher frequency in women using oral contraceptives and during the third trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of Candida spp and Trichomonas vaginalis in patients with the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis from the Gynecology Service in Hospital Universitario "Ruiz y Páez" in Ciudad Bolívar and Hospital "Raúl Leoni" in San Félix (Bolívar State, Venezuela). Two hundred women with symptoms of vulvovaginitis were examined, and samples were taken from the uterocervical cul-de-sac. Each patient was asked to fill a questionnaire. The following studies were made in each sample: a) fresh wet mount examination, b) orange acridine and Giemsa stains for Trichomonas and c) culture for the identification of yeasts. The latter were identified by means of the germinal tube assay, resistance to actidione and the presence of clamidospores in rice-cream agar and sugar utilization test, using the commercial kit ID32C (BioMérieux). Only in 57 women of 200 patients with vulvovaginitis the causative agent was demonstrated; Candida spp was present in 84.2% (n = 48) and Trichomonas vaginalis in 14% (n = 8). A single case of Zygosaccharomyces spp (1.8%) was detected. The age group mainly affected was that of 25-35 years old, the 38.6% of the studied population. Candida species detected were: C. albicans in 87% of cases (n = 42), C. glabrata, in 10.42% (n = 5), and C. guillermondii, in 2.08 (n = 1). Vaginal flux, vulvar pruritus and leucorrhoea were observed in significant number of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The use of antibiotics was considered predisposing factor for Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The relationship between age and the etiological agent was not statistically significant. Due to the low specificity of clinical manifestations of infections caused by Candida spp and Trichomonas vaginalis, we conclude that performing the etiologic diagnosis of vulvovaginitis is necessary in order to take the appropriate therapeutic and preventive measures, specially in those patients with a recurrent disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Actin cytoskeleton demonstration in Trichomonas vaginalis and in other trichomonads.

The flagellate form of Trichomonas vaginalis (T v) transforms to amoeboid cells upon adherence to converslips. They grow and their nuclei divide without undergoing cytokinesis, yielding giant cells and a monolayer of T v F-actin was demonstrated in Trichomonas vaginalis by fluorescence microscopy using phalloidin and an anti-actin mAb which labelled the cytoplasm of both the flagellate and amoeboid forms. Comparative electrophoresis and immunoblotting established that the actin band has the same 42 kDa as muscle actin, but 2-D electrophoresis resolved the actin band into four spots; the two major spots observed were superimposable with major muscle actin isoforms. Electron microscopy demonstrated an ectoplasmic microfibrillar layer along the adhesion zone of amoeboid T v adhering to coverslips. Immunogold staining, using anti-actin monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that this layer was mainly composed of actin microfilaments. A comparative immunoblotting study comprising seven trichomonad species showed that all trichomonads studied expressed actin. The mAb Sigma A-4700 specific for an epitope on the actin C-terminal sequence labelled only actin of Trichomonas vaginalis, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum. Trichomitus batrachorum and Hypotrichomonas acosta, but not the actin of Tritrichomonas foetus, Tritrichomonas augusta and Monocercomonas sp. This discrimination between a 'trichomonas branch' and a 'tritrichomonas branch' is congruent with inferred sequence phylogeny from SSu rRNA and with classical phylogeny of trichomonads.

Actins↗
PubMed1998

Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in adolescent females: InPouch TV culture versus wet-mount microscopy.

PURPOSE: This study compared the InPouch TV culture to wet-mount, Diamond's culture medium, and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for the diagnosis of trichomonas infection in sexually active adolescents. METHODS: A total of 467 subjects were recruited among 12-18-year-old girls who received pelvic examinations at two urban adolescent clinics. All girls were tested by wet-mount and InPouch TV. In addition 339 of 467 had cultures in Diamond's medium and 366 of 467 had Pap smears. Specimens were collected for InPouch TV and Diamond's cultures and read at 24-48 h and 5 days, and in the case of Diamond's cultures, also at 7 days. In a subset of subjects (268 of 467) who had all four tests done, sensitivities and specificities were calculated using Diamond's culture as the "gold standard." RESULTS: In the 467 subjects, 73 (15.6%) tested positive for trichomonas by at least one method. In the subset with all four tests done, sensitivities of the wet-mount and InPouch TV were 36% and 81%, respectively; while that of the Pap smear was 56%. The culture media were equally efficient in identifying Trichomonas vaginalis. There were no differences found between subjects with or without trichomonas infections in gynecological symptoms, previous history of sexually transmitted diseases, or use of a condom at last intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: InPouch TV culture is a good diagnostic method for T. vaginalis because of its long shelf-life, relatively low expense, and high sensitivity (over twice as sensitive as wet-mount).

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trichomonas vaginalis: ultrastructural bases of the cytopathic effect.

The in vitro cytopathic effect of Trichomonas vaginalis on epithelial cells was explored through the interaction of trophozoites of the virulent strain GT-10 with MDCK monolayers. The interaction was analyzed through electrophysiology, video microscopy, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Electrical measurements revealed that living parasites produced severe damage to the cell monolayers within 30 min, manifested as a rapid decrease in transepithelial resistance. Microscopic observations demonstrated that when placed in contact with epithelial cells, trichomonas formed clumps through interdigitations and transient plasma membrane junctions between adjacent parasites. Also, attached trophozoites adopted an ameboid shape. The in vitro cytopathic action of T. vaginalis on MDCK cells was initially evident by modifications of the plasma membrane, resulting in opening of tight junctions, membrane blebbing, and monolayer disruption. After 15 min of interaction the damage was focal, concentrating at sites where parasite clumps adhered to the monolayer. At 30 min practically all MDCK cells were dead, whether or not trichomonas were attached to them. These events were followed by detachment of lysed cells and complete disruption of the monolayer at 60 min. Electron microscopy demonstrated a peculiar form of adhesion that appears to be specific for trichomonas, in which the basal surface of T. vaginalis formed slender channels through which microvilli and cytoplasmic fragments of epithelial cells were internalized. The same sequence of lytic events was found with the less virulent GT-3 strain. However, the time course of cytolysis with GT-3 parasites was much slower, and lysis was limited to areas of attachment of T. vaginalis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Frequency of Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida sp and Gardnerella vaginalis in cervical-vaginal smears in four different decades.

CONTEXT: Vaginitis is one of the principal motives that lead women to seek out an obstetrician or gynecologist. Bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis and trichomoniasis are responsible for 90% of the cases of infectious vaginitis. OBJECTIVE: To verify the frequency of the three main causative agents of vaginitis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida sp and Gardnerella vaginalis, in four different decades (1960's, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's). DESIGN: Retrospective. PLACE: A tertiary referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients attended to as gynecology and obstetrics outpatients at the Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro during the years 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, taken as samples of each decade. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Diagnoses of infection by Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida sp and Gardnerella vaginalis were gathered from 20,356 cervical-vaginal cytology tests on patients attended to as gynecology outpatients at Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro during the years 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, representing the four decades. The results were grouped according to the age group of the patients: under 20, between 20 and 29, between 30 and 39, between 40 and 49, and 50 or over. Statistical analysis was done via the chi-squared (Mantel-Haentzel) test with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: In 1968 infections by Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida sp were diagnosed in 10% and 0.5% of the cytology tests and in 1978, 5.1% and 17.3%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Infection by Gardnerella vaginalis could only be evaluated in the latter two decades. In 1988, 19.8% of the women had positive tests for Gardnerella vaginalis, which was the most frequent agent in that year, diminishing in the subsequent decade to 15.9% (P < 0.0001). Candidiasis was the most frequent infection in 1998, detected in 22.5% of the tests (P < 0.0001). In a general manner, all the infections were most frequent among younger patients, especially those aged under 20, in all decades, whereas infections were least frequent among patients aged 50 or over (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a reduction in the frequency of cervical-vaginal infection by Trichomonas vaginalis and an increase in the frequency of Candida sp over the four decades studied. All the infections were most frequent in patients aged under 20 years.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Molecular diagnosis of oral cavity trichomonas infections in HIV patients].

The occurrence of trichomonas in oral cavity of HIV patients is not well known. HIV patients often suffer from oral lesions (candidiosis, advanced caries) and it remains unclear if any oral parasites can affect that, therefore the aim of the study was verification of species that can occur in HIV patients' oral cavity. Diagnosis of oral trichomonas can be performed by conventional methods (microscopic observation of wet and stained preparations and cultivation) but these are time consuming and insufficient for proper species differentiation, therefore in order to detect and identify species of parasites precisely, molecular methods such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and sequencing of its product, were applied. 54 HIV patients (18 females and 36 males at the age of 20-54) were examined. All of them were addicted to intravenous drugs for at least 6 years. Saliva, smears and spittle samples were collected and used for cultivation, preparations and molecular diagnosis. For PCR amplification a pair of primers (T1 and T2) specific for ITS 1 - 5.8 SrRNA - ITS 2 region was designed. The oral trichomonas were detected in saliva samples of 3 HIV patients; these were males at the age of 25, 27 and 44. The identification of species by PCR and sequencing of the PCR products showed the trichomonads belonging to Trichomonas tenax. Infection of HIV patients' oral cavity caused by T. tenax is rather related with inflammatory processes than with the immunosuppression of these patients but should be considered as a potential factor in pathogenesis of oral disorders in immunosuppressed patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

[Survival ability of Trichomonas vaginalis in mineral baths].

The role of mineral thermal baths and particularly of bath fittings such as benches and toilet seats in the spreading of Trichomonas vaginalis is controversial. In order to clarify the possibility of transmission by smear infection of this ubiquitous urogenital parasite the ability to survive was investigated in 11 mineral baths in Baden-Württemberg by contamination of water samples of varying mineral content. In addition, Trichomonas-contaminated water samples were placed in Petri-dishes on different benches in the bath area to determine the different milieu-factors influencing survival and thus the possibility of smear infections. The determination of viable cells was carried out by recultivation and semiquantitative extinction measurement. The survival time of Trichomonas vaginalis in the water samples of the 11 mineral baths varied considerably from 30 min up to more than 3 hours. The total mineral content played the most important role. When exposed in Petri dishes in addition the evaporation of the medium (mineral water) is of importance. Generally at high evaporation rates the cells will lose viability faster than in closed tubes. But also in open dishes in 4 mineral baths viable Trichomonads were still detectable after 3 hours. Generally the ability of Trichomonas vaginalis to survive in water of a total mineral content of 0.05-2.2% is increased to such an extent that infection is theoretically possible. Transmission in the mineral pool itself appears nevertheless highly unlikely due to the dilution effect of the enormous water volume. However transmission of infection via wet, contaminated benches and toilet seats cannot be generally ruled out.

Animals↗