Trichomonas vaginalis
By
Samuel ojuko
outline
• Introduction
• Characteristics
• Life cycle
• Diseases
• Lab diagnosis
• Prevention & control
08/11/2025 samuel Ojuko - SUN, SHS 2
Introduction
• Trichomonas belongs to:
• Kingdom: Protista
• Phylum: metamonada
• Class: Trichomonadae
• Order: Trichomonadida
• Familly: Trichomonadidae
• Genus: Trichomonas
• Specise: T. vaginalis, T. hominis, T. tenax
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Introduction
• The genusTrichomonas contains flagellated protozoan parasite
responsible for causing trichomoniasis to humans.
• Has 3 species that occur in humans;
- T. vaginalis,
- T. hominis,
- T. tenax
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Introduction
1. Trichomonas vaginalis is the only pathogen spp.
It resides in the genital tract. (Vagina, urethra, & prostate).
2. Trichomonas tenax – non pathogenic.
Found in the oral cavity, particularly in the dental cavities & gingival
margins).
3. Trichomonas hominis – non-pathogenic.
Found in the lower GIT, particularly in caecum.
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Trichomonas spp.
B C
A
A. T. vaginalis; B. T. hominis; C. T. tenax
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Trichomonas Vaginalis
• T. vaginalis was first observed by Donne (1836) in vaginal secretion.
• An important species that causes infection in both male & females.
• Causative agent of trichmonaisis, infection is sexually transmitted.
• T. vaginalis is the most common parasitic STI.
• It is an anaerobic organism, produces energy by fermentation of sugars.
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Characteristics
• Trichomonas differs from other flagellates, as they exist only in
trophozoite stage. Cystic stage is absent.
• The trophozoite is pear-shaped or ovoid and measures 10–30
μm in length and 5–10 μm width.
• Trophozoite has a short undulating membrane extending only
half of the body length.
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Trophozoite of trichomonas
• Has 4 anterior flagella and fifth
running along the outer margin of
the undulating membrane, which is
supported at its base by a flexible
rod, costa.
• It shows characteristic jerky or
twitchy motility in saline mount
preparation.
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Trophozoite of trichomonas
• T. vaginalis trophozoites has a prominent axostyle runs
throughout the length of the body and projects posteriorly like a
tail.
• Has a single nucleus.
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Mode of transmission
• Trichomonas vaginalis infection is transmitted usually directly from
person to-person through sexual contact.
• The trophozoite cannot survive outside its host and so infection has to
be transmitted directly from person to person.
• Babies may get infected during birth.
• Trichomoniasis often coexists with other sexually transmitted diseases;
like candidiasis, gonorrhea, syphillis, or HIV.
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Life Cycle of Trichomonas vaginalis
• The development of T. vaginalis is completed in a single host either
male or female.
• As cysts are not formed, the trophozite itself is the infective form.
• Trophozoites divide by longitudinal binary fission giving rise to a
number of daughter trophozoites in the urogenital tract which can
infect other individuals.
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Life Cycle of Trichomonas vaginalis
• It begins by the division of the nucleus, followed by the division
of the neuromoter apparatus and finally, separation of the
cytoplasm into two daughter trophozoites.
• In female, the parasites gets nourishment from the mucosal
surfaces of the vagina.
• On sexual contact, trophozoites are transmitted to male and
localize in the urethra & prostate glands.
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Life cycle of Trichomonas vaginalis
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Virulence factors for T. vaginalis
Protein liquids and proteases: Like adhesins, proteolytic
enzymes, iron regulated proteins, erythrocyte binding proteins
etc. that secreted by the trophozoites.
• Help in adherence of the trophozoites to the epithelial cells of
the genitor-urinary tract.
Lactic and acetic acid: - lowers the pH of the vaginal fluid.
• The low pH of vaginal secretion is cytotoxic to epithelial cells.
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Virulence factors for T. vaginalis
Enzymes cysteine proteases: is responsible for haemolytic
activity of the parasite.
Coexisting vaginal flora
Strain and relative concentration of the organisms present in
the vagina.
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Clinical manifestation
• Trichomoniasis presents with a wide variety of clinical patterns.
• The spectrum of clinical trichomoniasis in women ranges from
the asymptomatic carrier within 6 months.
• Asymptomatic Carrier State. most frequently occur in men
harboring the trophozoites and can transmit the infection.
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Clinical manifestation of Trichomoniasis
Acute infection (vulvovaginitis)
• Females are commonly affected and are presented as
vulvovaginitis, characterized by a foul smelling, greenish-yellow
liquid vaginal discharge (unpleasant fishy smell).
• Other features include genital itching, dysuria and lower
abdominal Pain.
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Clinical manifestation of Trichomoniasis
• In males, the common features are thin, white discharge from
the penis that contains the T. vaginalis trophozoites, soreness,
swelling and redness around the head of the penis or foreskin.
• Burning during urination or after ejaculation.
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Lab diagnosis of Trichomoniasis
SPECIMENS
• In women: vaginal discharge, endocervical specimens.
• In men: urethral discharges, and prostatic secretions.
• Others: early morning first avoided urine sediment.
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Lab diagnosis of Trichomoniasis
Direct Microscopy
• Wet (saline) mount of fresh samples (within 10–20 minutes of
collection):- to demonstrate the jerky motile trophozoites and
pus cells.
• Other staining methods include permanent stains (e.g.
Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain), acridine orange fluorescent
stain and direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA).
- To demonstrate the morphology trophozoites.
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Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoite (Giemsa stain).
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Lab diagnosis of Trichomoniasis
Culture Molecular method
• Recommended when direct PCR detecting T. vaginalis
microscopy is negative and is specific beta tubulin genes.
considered as a 'gold standard'
as well as the most sensitive 75– Other Supportive Tests
96% and specific (100%). Positive whiff test: Fishy
odor is produced when a drop
Serology: using ELISA & dipsticks: of 10% KOH is added to
for demonstration of T. vaginalis vaginal discharge due to
antigen in vaginal secretions. production of amine.
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Treatment of Trichomoniasis
• Metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole are the drug of choice.
• Because this parasite is sexually transmitted, treatment of all
sexual partners is recommended.
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Prevention and Control
Trichomoniasis can be prevented by:
Treatment of both the partners.
Safe sex practices like use of condoms.
Avoidance of sex with infected person.
Community health education.
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Thank you
4
your time
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