Trichomoniasis

Abstract

Trichomoniasis is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. It has been associated with a variety of adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes for both men and women. In this review, the authors discuss updates in its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical significance, diagnosis, and treatment.

Keywords: Sexually transmitted infection; Trichomonas vaginalis; Trichomoniasis; Vaginitis; Women’s health.

Figure 1

A. Wet mount microscopy showing a motile trichomonad with a flagellum. A. Wet mount microscopy showing two motile trichomonads.

Figure 2.. 5-nitroimidazole Drug Susceptibility Testing.

2A: 96-well plate used for 5-nitroimidazole drug susceptibility testing. 2B: Graphical representation of a portion of the 96 well plate for the 5-nitroimidazole drug susceptibility testing. Rows A and H are DMSO control lanes, while lanes B-G contain the 5-nitroimdazoles tested for specific T. vaginalis isolates tested in triplicates. 50 μl of media is initially added to each well. Next, 50 μl of drug/media is added to column 1 rows B-G, while 50 μl of DMSO/media are added to A and H and then serially diluted from left to right (column 1 [400 μg/ml] to column 12 [0.2 μg/ml]). 150 μl of the T. vaginalis sample is added to each well from the lowest concentration to the highest (column 12 [0.2 μg/ml] to column 1 [400 μg/ml]). The plates are then incubated for 48 to 52 hours before being read on an inverted microscope. MLC is determined when no motile TV is observed for all three wells with the same concentration.