Trichomoniasis

Abstract

Trichomoniasis is perhaps the most common curable sexually transmitted disease worldwide, yet few resources are devoted to its control. It is associated with potentially serious complications such as preterm birth and human immunodeficiency virus acquisition and transmission. The immunology of a related organism, Tritrichomonas foetus, which causes disease in cattle, has been investigated to some extent, but more work is needed for the human strain, Trichomonas vaginalis. In addition, although trichomoniasis is easily treated with oral metronidazole, there is concern that the number of strains resistant to this antibiotic are increasing, and currently no alternative is licensed in the United States. As more is appreciated concerning the important public health implications of this common infection, more work will need to be done in understanding the diagnosis, treatment, and immunology of this organism.

FIG. 1.

Purified LF is cytotoxic to WEHI 164 cells. (A) Octyl-Sepharose chromatogram of T. vaginalis extract with LF elution at 30% N-propanol. (B) Cytotoxicity of LF and bovine serum albumin (BSA), purified by octyl-Sepharose chromatography as described in the text, lyophilized, and reconstituted in Hanks' balanced salt solution. Cytotoxicity was measured on WEHI 164 cells as described previously. Data shown are means and standard deviations for three individual experiments. *, significant difference (P < 0.05) between treatment groups.