Trichomonas Vaginalis | Trichomoniasis (life cycle, pathogenesis, lab diagnosis & treatment) | STD

Med Zukhruf

14 Jan 202108:14

Summary

TLDRThis educational video delves into Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan parasite causing trichomoniasis. It covers the parasite's morphology, life cycle, habitat, transmission, and epidemiology. The lecture also explores pathogenesis, clinical findings in both sexes, diagnosis methods, immunity aspects, and treatment options. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a low pH in the vagina for prevention and the necessity of treating both partners to avoid reinfection.

Takeaways

🐛 Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection.
🔬 The parasite is uninucleate, with a characteristic pear or oval shape, and measures about 10 by 7 micrometers.
🌡️ It thrives in genital organs, with an optimal temperature of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius and a pH range of 5.5 to 6.0.
🌿 It requires a low oxygen environment for survival, indicating that it prefers anaerobic conditions.
🔄 The life cycle involves binary fission, with no cyst form, and a round form that appears briefly after division.
🌐 It is transmitted sexually and is most prevalent among sexually active women in their 30s.
🚫 There is no animal reservoir; it is exclusively found in humans.
🤒 In women, symptoms include a watery, foul-smelling discharge, itching, and burning, while men may be asymptomatic carriers.
🔬 Diagnosis involves microscopic examination of secretions or discharge, with culture and nucleic acid tests for confirmation.
💊 Treatment typically involves metronidazole or tinidazole, with simultaneous treatment for both partners to prevent reinfection.
🛡️ Prevention strategies include maintaining a low pH in the vagina and using condoms for mechanical protection.

Q & A

What is Trichomonas vaginalis?
-Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that lives in the genital organs of both men and women and is responsible for causing trichomoniasis.
What is the morphology of Trichomonas vaginalis?
-Trichomonas vaginalis has a pear or oval shape, is about 10 by 7 micrometers in size, and has a single nucleus, four anterior flagella, and an undulating membrane. It also has a cytostome for ingesting food particles.
Does Trichomonas vaginalis have a cyst form?
-No, Trichomonas vaginalis exists only as a trophozoite and does not have a cyst form. However, there is a round form that exists shortly after the division of trophozoites.
What is the life cycle of Trichomonas vaginalis?
-The life cycle of Trichomonas vaginalis consists of simple division by binary fission, which occurs under favorable conditions such as a temperature of about 35 to 37 degrees and a pH of 5.5 to 6.0.
Where does Trichomonas vaginalis primarily reside in the human body?
-The primary locations of the organism are the vagina in women and the prostate in men.
How is Trichomonas vaginalis transmitted?
-Transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis occurs via sexual contact, and there is no animal reservoir for the parasite.
What are the epidemiological aspects of trichomoniasis?
-Trichomoniasis is one of the most common infections worldwide, with 25 to 50 percent of women in the United States harboring the organism. Asymptomatic infections are common, and symptomatic disease is most frequent among sexually active women in their 30s.
What are the clinical findings of trichomoniasis in females?
-In females, trichomoniasis presents as a watery, foul-smelling, greenish vaginal discharge, vulvar itching, and burning. The vaginal and cervical mucosa may be reddened, eroded, and petechiated, with possible hemorrhages.
How is trichomoniasis diagnosed in males?
-In males, trichomoniasis may be asymptomatic, and males may serve as carriers. In symptomatic cases, the prostate, seminal vesicles, and urethra may be infected, leading to a thin white urethral discharge and dysuria.
What are the methods for diagnosing Trichomonas vaginalis infection?
-Diagnosis involves collecting specimens like vaginal or urethral secretions, discharge, prostate secretions, and semen. Microscopic examination of a wet mount of vaginal discharge can reveal trophozoites with a typical jerky motion. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are also used for confirmation.
What is the treatment for trichomoniasis?
-The treatment of choice for trichomoniasis is either tinidazole (brand name Tinita) or metronidazole (brand name Flagyl) for both partners to prevent reinfection.
How can trichomoniasis be prevented?
-Prevention of trichomoniasis includes maintaining a low pH in the vagina, using condoms for mechanical protection, and simultaneous treatment of both sexual partners. Currently, there is no prophylactic drug or vaccine available to prevent this infection.

Outlines

00:00

🦠 Introduction to Trichomonas Vaginalis

This paragraph introduces Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis. It describes the parasite's morphology, including its size, shape, and unique features such as the exostile, nucleus, flagella, and undulating membrane. The video also outlines the topics that will be covered, such as the life cycle, habitat, transmission, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings, laboratory diagnosis, immunity, treatment, and prevention of trichomoniasis.

05:01

🔬 Clinical and Diagnostic Aspects of Trichomoniasis

This paragraph delves into the clinical presentation of trichomoniasis in both males and females, highlighting symptoms and the potential for asymptomatic carriers. It discusses the diagnostic methods, including specimen collection, microscopic examination for trophozoites, and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). The paragraph also touches on the lack of serologic tests for antibodies and the use of culture methods for diagnosis. Additionally, it covers the natural and acquired immunity aspects, treatment options with medications like tinidazole and metronidazole, and preventive measures such as maintaining a low pH in the vagina and using condoms.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection. In the video, it is described as living in the genital organs of both men and women. The morphology of Trichomonas vaginalis is detailed, highlighting its pear-shaped form, size, and unique features such as a single nucleus, flagella, and an undulating membrane.

💡Protozoan parasite

A protozoan parasite refers to a single-celled organism that can cause disease in its host. In the context of the video, Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that infects the genital tract, leading to trichomoniasis. The video emphasizes its role as an extracellular pathogen that adheres to epithelial cells and interacts with the host's immune system.

💡Binary fission

Binary fission is a type of asexual reproduction where a single organism divides into two identical daughter cells. The video explains that the life cycle of Trichomonas vaginalis involves binary fission under favorable conditions, such as specific temperature and pH levels, which are crucial for its survival and reproduction.

💡Transmission

Transmission in the context of the video refers to the spread of Trichomonas vaginalis from one individual to another, primarily through sexual contact. The video underscores the importance of understanding transmission routes to prevent the spread of trichomoniasis.

💡Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations. The video discusses the epidemiology of trichomoniasis, noting that it is one of the most common infections worldwide, with a significant percentage of women in the United States harboring the organism. It also mentions that asymptomatic infections are common.

💡Pathogenesis

Pathogenesis is the process by which an infectious agent causes disease. The video describes how Trichomonas vaginalis causes trichomoniasis by adhering to epithelial cells, disrupting the vaginal microbiota, and eliciting an inflammatory response from the host's immune system.

💡Clinical findings

Clinical findings refer to the observable symptoms and signs of a disease. The video details the clinical manifestations of trichomoniasis in both males and females, such as watery, foul-smelling discharge in females and potential asymptomatic carriage in males.

💡Diagnosis

Diagnosis in the video pertains to the methods used to identify the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis. It includes microscopic examination of wet mounts, staining techniques, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), and culture methods. The video emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis for effective treatment.

💡Immunity

Immunity in this context refers to the body's defense mechanisms against infections. The video explains that natural immunity to Trichomonas vaginalis is low, and while infection does not confer long-term acquired immunity, repeated infections may lead to less severe symptoms over time.

💡Treatment

Treatment in the video refers to the medical interventions used to cure trichomoniasis. It mentions the use of medications such as tinidazole and metronidazole, and the importance of treating both partners to prevent reinfection. The video also suggests maintaining a low pH in the vagina as a helpful adjunct to treatment.

💡Prevention

Prevention in the context of the video involves strategies to avoid contracting or spreading trichomoniasis. It suggests maintaining a low pH in the vagina, using condoms for mechanical protection, and treating both sexual partners simultaneously. The video notes the absence of a prophylactic drug or vaccine for trichomoniasis.

Highlights

Introduction to trichomonas vaginalis as a protozoan parasite responsible for trichomoniasis.

Trichomonas vaginalis is uninucleate and lives in the genital organs of both men and women.

Overview of morphology: trophozoite is the only form of trichomonas vaginalis, and it has four anterior flagella and an undulating membrane.

The life cycle of trichomonas vaginalis involves simple division by binary fission under favorable conditions.

Trichomonas vaginalis can survive in temperatures between 35 to 37 degrees Celsius and at a pH of 5.5 to 6.0.

Transmission of trichomonas vaginalis occurs primarily via sexual contact.

The infection is most common among sexually active women, especially those in their 30s.

Higher risk of infection during pregnancy and menstrual periods due to changes in vaginal pH.

Pathogenesis involves damage to host tissue, killing of host cells, disruption of vaginal microbiota, and inflammation.

In females, common symptoms include watery, foul-smelling greenish vaginal discharge, itching, and burning.

In males, the infection may be asymptomatic but can cause white urethral discharge and dysuria.

Diagnosis includes microscopy of wet mount vaginal discharge and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs).

There is no serologic test for trichomonas vaginalis, and natural immunity provides limited protection.

Treatment includes tinidazole or metronidazole for both partners to prevent reinfection.

Prevention strategies include condom use and maintenance of low vaginal pH, with no available prophylactic drug or vaccine.