Trichomonas vaginalis

phylum

metamonada

genus

trichomonas

species

vaginalis

distribution

worldwide

higher in women

route of transmission (life cycle step 1)

sexual intercourse/contact

step 2

trophozoites inhabit female lower genital tract and male urethra and prostate

step 3

trophozoites undergo asexual reproduction via binary fission

host

humans

reservoir host

none

incubation period

5-28 days

months-years if untreated

female symptoms

asymptomatic

vaginitis

pus

vulvar and cervical lesions

abdominal pain

difficult/painful urination

genital pain during sex

itching

reproductive morbidity: infertility, increase in preterm birth, membrane rupture, small infants, cervical cancer, increased risk of getting HIV, increased shedding of HIV, increased pelvic inflammatory disease in HIV+

male symptoms

asymptomatic

urethritis

epididymitis

prostatitis

treatment

antibiotics

antiparasitics

reduce symptoms

reduce transmission

diagnosis

microscopy, wet mount of genital fluids looking for motile trophozoites

serology

culture

retest 3 months after treatment

prevention

practice abstinence or safe sex