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Review
. 2011 Jul;157(1):3-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2011.02.024. Epub 2011 Mar 25.

Trichomoniasis: evaluation to execution

Djana F Harp  1 , Indrajit Chowdhury
Affiliations
Review

Trichomoniasis: evaluation to execution

Djana F Harp et al. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted disease, caused by a motile flagellate non-invasive parasitic protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis). More than 160 million people worldwide are annually infected by this protozoan. T. vaginalis occupies an extracellular niche in the complex human genito-urinary environment (vagina, cervix, penis, prostate gland, and urethra) to survive, multiply and evade host defenses. T. vaginalis (strain G3) has a ∼160 megabase genome with 60,000 genes, the largest number of genes ever identified in protozoans. The T. vaginalis genome is a highly conserved gene family that encodes a massive proteome with one of the largest coding (expressing ∼4000 genes) capacities in the trophozoite stage, and helps T. vaginalis to adapt and survive in diverse environment. Based on recent developments in the field, we review T. vaginalis structure, patho-mechanisms, parasitic virulence, and advances in diagnosis and therapeutics.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Morphology of T. vaginalis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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