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Rosales-Rimache J, Inolopú JL, Soncco-Llulluy FC, Medina-Ciprian L. Comparison of Three Methods for Diagnosing Trichomoniasis in Female Patients with Sexual Activity Attended at a Hospital in Peru. J Parasitol Res 2023; 2023:9528942. [PMID: 38028127 PMCID: PMC10665100 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9528942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that mainly affects women. The diagnosis is made by different methods that identify the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis; therefore, sensitivity, specificity, and performance are essential to guarantee an adequate diagnosis. Our study is aimed at comparing three methods for diagnosing trichomoniasis in patients treated at a hospital in Peru during the year 2018. Methods We designed a cross-sectional study and enrolled women whose vaginal secretion samples were evaluated by direct examination, Papanicolaou staining, and culture in the Diamond medium. Results We evaluated 134 women with a mean age of 36.6 ± 12.1 years and a beginning of sexual activity of 18.5 ± 3.0 years. We found leukocyte infiltration, fetid odor, and strawberry cervix in 66.4%, 35.1%, and 18.7%. The prevalence of trichomoniasis by the culture method, direct examination, and Papanicolaou was 32.1, 21.6, and 11.2%. The direct examination's sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic performance (AUC) were 65.1%, 98.9%, and 82.0%, while for the Pap smear, they were 32.6%, 98.9%, and 65.7%%. Conclusion The culture of T. vaginalis is the gold standard for diagnosing trichomoniasis; however, direct examination is a fast, specific alternative with good diagnostic performance. The Pap test has low sensitivity and should not be used in settings where the prevalence and risk factors for trichomoniasis are high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Rosales-Rimache
- Universidad Privada Norbert Wiener, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Lima 15046, Peru
| | - Jorge L. Inolopú
- Facultad de Salud Pública y Administración, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15101, Peru
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2
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Dittmer KE, Pradhan P, Tompkins QC, Brittingham A, Wilson WA. Cloning and characterization of glycogen branching and debranching enzymes from the parasitic protist Trichomonas vaginalis. Biochimie 2021; 186:59-72. [PMID: 33895247 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The protist Trichomonas vaginalis is an obligate parasite of humans and the causative agent of trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection. The organism has long been known to accumulate glycogen, a branched polymer of glucose, and to mobilize this reserve in response to carbohydrate limitation. However, the enzymes required for the synthesis and degradation of glycogen by T. vaginalis have been little studied. Previously, we characterized T. vaginalis glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase, the key enzymes of glycogen synthesis and degradation, respectively. We determined that their regulatory properties differed from those of well-characterized animal and fungal enzymes. Here, we turn our attention to how glycogen attains its branched structure. We first determined that the glycogen from T. vaginalis resembled that from a related organism, T. gallinae. To determine how the branched structure of T. vaginalis glycogen arose, we identified open reading frames encoding putative T. vaginalis branching and debranching enzymes. When the open reading frames TVAG_276310 and TVAG_330630 were expressed recombinantly in bacteria, the resulting proteins exhibited branching and debranching activity, respectively. Specifically, recombinant TVAG_276310 had affinity for polysaccharides with long outer branches and could add branches to both amylose and amylopectin. TVAG_330630 displayed both 4-α-glucanotransferase and α1,6-glucosidase activity and could efficiently debranch phosphorylase limit dextrin. Furthermore, expression of TVAG_276310 and TVAG_330630 in yeast cells lacking endogenous glycogen branching or debranching enzyme activity, restored normal glycogen accumulation and branched structure. We now have access to the suite of enzymes required for glycogen synthesis and degradation in T. vaginalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline E Dittmer
- Departments of Biochemistry & Nutrition, and Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Prajakta Pradhan
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Quentin C Tompkins
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Andrew Brittingham
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Wayne A Wilson
- Departments of Biochemistry & Nutrition, and Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA.
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3
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Okafor CC, Strickland LG, Jones BM, Kania S, Anderson DE, Whitlock BK. Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in tennessee bulls. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:169-175. [PMID: 28807288 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of bovine trichomonosis (BT) in TN bulls was estimated through both active screening of bulls and review of previous laboratory records. During the active bull screening, preputial smegma specimens were collected from 458 TN beef bulls at 2 cattle slaughterhouses and 2 stockyards, which serve most beef bulls in TN, between March 2014 and June 2015. Each specimen was cultured for Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) as well as evaluated microscopically every other day for seven days for any protozoa resembling T. foetus. An aliquot of the culture media from each specimen was used for DNA extraction and subsequent qPCR testing. Two specimens were considered suspect on microscopic evaluation, but all specimens were negative for T. foetus on qPCR. This suggests that the 2 specimens were most likely contaminated by fecal trichomonads. Retrospectively, 1979 T. foetus test records from 2 major TN diagnostic laboratories were reviewed between October 2013 and September 2016. True prevalence of BT in TN beef bulls was estimated at <0.01% from the laboratory records, although the county prevalence differed in 2 TN counties (Marshal: 0.09% and Bedford: 0.5%). Overall, the prevalence of BT in TN is low, and the current screening efforts to help control BT disease in TN are acceptable. Future efforts should focus on educating cattle stakeholders on the importance of optimal specimen collection and handling as well as routine testing for BT before cattle movement. In addition, cattle producers should be reminded of leading risk factors associated with BT in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chika C Okafor
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - Lew G Strickland
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, 2506 River Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - Brittni M Jones
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - Stephen Kania
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - David E Anderson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - Brian K Whitlock
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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4
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Queza MIP, Rivera WL. Diagnosis and molecular characterization of Trichomonas vaginalis in sex workers in the Philippines. Pathog Glob Health 2013; 107:136-40. [PMID: 23683368 DOI: 10.1179/2047773213y.0000000085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogenic protozoon which causes the sexually transmitted infection, trichomoniasis. The absence or non-specificity of symptoms often leads to misdiagnosis of the infection. In this study, 969 samples consisting of vaginal swabs and urine were collected and screened from social hygiene clinics across the Philippines. Of the 969 samples, 216 were used for the comparative analysis of diagnostic tools such as wet mount microscopy, culture, and PCR utilizing universal trichomonad primers, TFR1/2 and species-specific primers, TVK3/7 and TV1/2. PCR demonstrated higher sensitivity of 100% compared to 77% of the wet mount. PCR primer set TVK3/7 and culture had the same and the best expected average performance [receiver-operating characteristic (ROC): 0·98]. Prevalence of infection in the sample population was 6·8%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macario Ireneo P Queza
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Quezon City, Philippines
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5
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Development of PCR assays for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in urine specimens. J Clin Microbiol 2013; 51:1298-300. [PMID: 23390274 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.03101-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis infections are usually asymptomatic or can result in nonspecific clinical symptoms, which makes laboratory-based detection of this protozoan parasite essential for diagnosis and treatment. We report the development of a battery of highly sensitive and specific PCR assays for detection of T. vaginalis in urine, a noninvasive specimen, and development of a protocol for differentiating among Trichomonas species that commonly infect humans.
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6
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The laboratory diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2011; 16:35-8. [PMID: 18159526 DOI: 10.1155/2005/373920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasitic protozoa that causes the sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis, is the sexually transmitted infection with the largest annual incidence, exceeding 170 million cases per year. The disease can be difficult to diagnose due to its heterogeneous presentation and problems with diagnostic testing. All diagnostic tests are fraught with imperfections, but the old, reliable wet mount examination (in trained hands), and the newer InPouch method may be advantageous due to simplicity in technology and cost. The present article reviews the pros and cons of culture, antibody and nucleic acid-based technologies that may point to future diagnostic advances.
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8
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Lobo TT, Feijó G, Carvalho SE, Costa PL, Chagas C, Xavier J, Simoes-Barbosa A. A comparative evaluation of the Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis. Sex Transm Dis 2003; 30:694-9. [PMID: 12972792 DOI: 10.1097/01.olq.0000079525.04451.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted disease in humans worldwide. In addition to its pathologic implications, trichomoniasis is a risk factor for the transmission of the HIV and is associated with reproductive complications in females. Diagnosis of the disease is problematic due to inadequate accuracy of current diagnostic methods. Recently developed DNA-based techniques for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis seem to be promising alternatives. GOAL The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis by comparing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with other current diagnostic methods. STUDY DESIGN A total of 1008 cervicovaginal swab specimens from a randomized population attending a gynecological service were analyzed in this study. In addition to current diagnostic methods, two sets of specific primers were used for PCR detection of T vaginalis in the cervicovaginal DNA samples, with a PCR quality control. Different examiners conducted PCR and Papanicolaou analyses in a double-blind trial. RESULTS The prevalence of trichomoniasis in this population was 6%. A considerable number of diagnostic results of the Papanicolaou test were false negative or false positive. Compared with PCR, specificity of the Papanicolaou test was 97.6%, whereas sensitivity was only 60.7%. The positive predictive value of the Papanicolaou smear was 61.7%. These results suggest that irregularly shaped parasites without clearly defined nuclei and flagella and bacteria-induced focal cytolysis limit the ability of the Papanicolaou test to detect T vaginalis. CONCLUSION The Papanicolaou test, the most readily available cytologic method for screening sexually transmitted pathogens and cellular abnormalities in most developing countries, is inadequate for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis due to its inherent limitations. However, PCR is a highly sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana T Lobo
- Program of Genomic Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília DF, Brazil
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9
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Mayta H, Gilman RH, Calderon MM, Gottlieb A, Soto G, Tuero I, Sanchez S, Vivar A. 18S ribosomal DNA-based PCR for diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis. J Clin Microbiol 2000; 38:2683-7. [PMID: 10878064 PMCID: PMC86998 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.7.2683-2687.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis remains the most common sexually transmitted parasite in the world and is considered a major risk factor in the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. A PCR technique using primers targeting a specific region of the 18S rRNA gene of T. vaginalis was developed. The PCR test was standardized using 15 reference strains, giving a single product of 312 bp in all strains. No amplification was observed when DNA from related organisms or human DNA was used as a target. The test was evaluated on 372 vaginal swab specimens and 361 urine samples from women attending infertility and obstetric clinics at two separate hospitals in Lima, Peru. Compared to T. vaginalis culture, the overall sensitivity and specificity of PCR of vaginal swab samples was 100% and 98%, respectively. The PCR of urine samples was 100% sensitive and 99.7% specific compared to culture of vaginal swab, but the sensitivity drops to 83.3% when compared to PCR of vaginal swabs. All culture-positive samples were found to be positive by PCR in either urine or vaginal secretion. None of the PCR-negative samples were positive by culture. The origin of the amplification was confirmed by digestion of PCR products with HaeIII. This PCR assay, which is easy to perform and has a high sensitivity and specificity, should be useful for routine diagnosis of T. vaginalis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Mayta
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, and A. B. PRISMA, Lima, Peru
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10
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Examen en fresco del frotis vaginal: Trichomonas. Semergen 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s1138-3593(00)73540-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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11
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van Der Schee C, van Belkum A, Zwijgers L, van Der Brugge E, O'neill EL, Luijendijk A, van Rijsoort-Vos T, van Der Meijden WI, Verbrugh H, Sluiters HJ. Improved diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection by PCR using vaginal swabs and urine specimens compared to diagnosis by wet mount microscopy, culture, and fluorescent staining. J Clin Microbiol 1999; 37:4127-30. [PMID: 10565943 PMCID: PMC85897 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.37.12.4127-4130.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Four vaginal cotton swab specimens were obtained from each of 804 women visiting the outpatient sexually transmitted disease clinic of the Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, for validation of various forms of Trichomonas vaginalis diagnostic procedures. One swab specimen was immediately examined by wet mount microscopy, a second swab was placed in Kupferberg's Trichosel medium for cultivation, and two swabs were placed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2. The resulting PBS suspension was used for direct staining with acridine orange and fluorescence microscopy, inoculation of modified Diamond's culture medium, and a PCR specific for T. vaginalis. A total of 70 samples positive in one or more of the tests were identified: 31 (3.8%) infections were detected by wet mount microscopy, and 36 (4.4%) were identified by acridine orange staining, as opposed to 40 (4.9%) and 46 (5.7%) positives in modified Diamond's and Trichosel media, respectively. PCR was positive for 61 (7.5%) samples. Secondly, from each of 200 women were obtained a urine sample and a vaginal cotton swab specimen, and 200 urine samples were obtained from men. For the women, 15 (7.4%) of the samples showed a positive result for either the wet mount (n = 1), Trichosel culture (n = 6), PCR on the vaginal swab sample (n = 10), or PCR on the urine specimen (n = 11). Four men (2%) were diagnosed with a T. vaginalis infection. Thus, PCR appears to be the method of choice for the detection of genital infections with T. vaginalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C van Der Schee
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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Ryu JS, Min DY, Shin MH, Cho YH. Genetic variance of Trichomonas vaginalis isolates by Southern hybridization. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 1998; 36:207-11. [PMID: 9755593 PMCID: PMC2732933 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.1998.36.3.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, genomic DNAs were purified from Korean isolates (KT8, KT6, KT-Kim and KT-Lee) and foreign strains (CDC85, IR78 and NYH 286) of Trichomonas vaginalis, and hybridized with a probe based on the repetitive sequence cloned from T. vaginalis to observe the genetic differences. By Southern hybridization, all isolates of T. vaginalis except the NYH286 strain had 11 bands. Therefore all isolates examined were distinguishable into 3 groups according to their banding patterns; i) KT8, KT6 and KT-Kim isolates had 11 identical bands such as 1 kb, 1.2 kb, 1.6 kb, 1.9 kb, 2.3 kb, 2.7 kb, 3.2 kb, 3.4 kb, 3.8 kb, 4.9 kb and 6.0 kb. ii) The metronidazole-resistant IR78 strain had the same bands as KT-Lee isolate at bands of 1 kb, 1.2 kb, 1.6 kb, 1.8 kb, 2.1 kb, 2.5 kb, 2.7 kb, 2.9 kb, 3.4 kb, 5.0 kb and 6.0 kb. Bands of CDC85, metronidazole-resistant strain, were similar to those of IR78 and KT-Lee, except that 3.2 kb replaced 2.9 kb. iii) NYH286 particularly had 12 bands and band patterns were similar to IR78 with a few exceptions as follows: i) 6.2 kb in place of 6.0 kb, ii) 2.0 kb and 2.2 kb instead of 2.1 kb. Through the results obtained, genetic variance of T. vaginalis isolates was demonstrated by Southern hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Ryu
- Department of Parasitology, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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13
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Petrin D, Delgaty K, Bhatt R, Garber G. Clinical and microbiological aspects of Trichomonas vaginalis. Clin Microbiol Rev 1998; 11:300-17. [PMID: 9564565 PMCID: PMC106834 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.11.2.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 443] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasitic protozoan, is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) of worldwide importance. Trichomoniasis is the most common nonviral STD, and it is associated with many perinatal complications, male and female genitourinary tract infections, and an increased incidence of HIV transmission. Diagnosis is difficult, since the symptoms of trichomoniasis mimic those of other STDs and detection methods lack precision. Although current treatment protocols involving nitroimidazoles are curative, metronidazole resistance is on the rise, outlining the need for research into alternative antibiotics. Vaccine development has been limited by a lack of understanding of the role of the host immune response to T. vaginalis infection. The lack of a good animal model has made it difficult to conduct standardized studies in drug and vaccine development and pathogenesis. Current work on pathogenesis has focused on the host-parasite relationship, in particular the initial events required to establish infection. These studies have illustrated that the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis is indeed very complex and involves adhesion, hemolysis, and soluble factors such as cysteine proteinases and cell-detaching factor. T. vaginalis interaction with the members of the resident vaginal flora, an advanced immune evasion strategy, and certain stress responses enable the organism to survive in its changing environment. Clearly, further research and collaboration will help elucidate these pathogenic mechanisms, and with better knowledge will come improved disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Petrin
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Shaio MF, Lin PR, Liu JY. Colorimetric one-tube nested PCR for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal discharge. J Clin Microbiol 1997; 35:132-8. [PMID: 8968894 PMCID: PMC229525 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.35.1.132-138.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A colorimetric one-tube nested PCR was developed for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in clinical vaginal discharge specimens. A family of 650-bp specific DNA repeats from the T. vaginalis genome was targeted. There was no cross-reaction with human DNA or other infectious agents, including Pentatrichomonas hominis and Giardia lamblia. The colorimetric assay was applied as an adjunct to nested PCR for semiquantitative determination of T. vaginalis DNA at levels corresponding to 1 to 1,000 parasites. PCR of samples prepared by a rapid boiling method was as sensitive and specific as PCR of samples prepared by the standard DNA extraction method: the equivalent of one T. vaginalis organism in 20 microliters of vaginal discharge could be detected. The colorimetric nested PCR was compared with wet mount and culture for the detection of T. vaginalis. A total of 378 clinical vaginal discharge specimens from symptomatic patients were examined; 31 patients were positive for T. vaginalis both by culture and by nested PCR. However, only 17 of these 31 patients were positive by wet mount examination. In addition, of 113 asymptomatic patients, 9 were positive for T. vaginalis by nested PCR. Of these nine PCR-positive patients, only two were also positive both by wet mount and by culture, four patients were positive by culture but negative by wet mount, and three patients were negative both by wet mount and by culture. No specimens negative by nested PCR were positive by wet mount or by culture. The three asymptomatic patients with PCR-positive but wet mount- and culture-negative samples were subsequently found to have T. vaginalis infection after repeated and prolonged culture was performed. This colorimetric nested PCR was very sensitive compared with culture for the diagnosis of vaginal trichomoniasis, especially asymptomatic T. vaginalis infection. It is also simple, specific, rapid, and semiquantitative.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Shaio
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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15
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New concepts in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of Trichomonas vaginalis. Can J Infect Dis 1996; 7:321-5. [PMID: 22514457 DOI: 10.1155/1996/864623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/1996] [Accepted: 03/22/1996] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis infection is the most commonly encountered sexually transmitted disease. There is a need for more accurate and rapid laboratory diagnostic methods, leading to better control and treatment strategies. Various virulence factors such as adherence, contact-independent factors, hemolysis and acquisition of host macromolecules have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of this infection. Detection of the factors that are only present in the pathogenic isolates of trichomonads will lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology of this pathogen. Culture technique is highly specific compared with microscopic techniques, but it is time consuming. Immunological techniques lack proper correlation with clinical manifestations. The application of monoclonal antibodies, either singly or in a group that recognizes a common antigen, along with methods such as detection of common DNA fragment from clinical specimens, may have a promising future in the laboratory diagnosis of trichomoniasis.
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16
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Kilvington S, Beeching J. Identification and epidemiological typing of Naegleria fowleri with DNA probes. Appl Environ Microbiol 1995; 61:2071-8. [PMID: 7793928 PMCID: PMC167479 DOI: 10.1128/aem.61.6.2071-2078.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a small free-living amoeboflagellate found in warm water habitats worldwide. The organism is pathogenic to humans, causing fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. When monitoring the environment for the presence of N. fowleri, it is important to reliably differentiate the organism from other closely related but nonpathogenic species. To this end, we have developed species-specific DNA probes for use in the rapid identification of N. fowleri from the environment. Samples were taken from the thermal springs in Bath, England, and cultured for amoebae. Of 84 isolates of thermophilic Naegleria spp., 10 were identified as N. fowleri by probe hybridization. The identity of these isolates was subsequently confirmed by their specific whole-cell DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). One DNA clone was found to contain a repeated element that detected chromosomal RFLPs that were not directly visible on agarose gels. This enabled the further differentiation of strains within geographically defined whole-cell DNA RFLP groups. N. fowleri DNA probes represent a specific and potentially rapid method for the identification of the organism soon after primary isolation from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kilvington
- Public Health Laboratory, Royal United Hospital, Bath, England
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17
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Muresu R, Rubino S, Rizzu P, Baldini A, Colombo M, Cappuccinelli P. A new method for identification of Trichomonas vaginalis by fluorescent DNA in situ hybridization. J Clin Microbiol 1994; 32:1018-22. [PMID: 8027304 PMCID: PMC267172 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.32.4.1018-1022.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan flagellate Trichomonas vaginalis is responsible for human trichomoniasis, one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Several methods are currently used for laboratory diagnosis, including direct microscopic observation, cell culture, immunological techniques, and more recently, DNA probing and gene amplification. This report describes an in situ hybridization technique with specific DNA probes labeled with either biotin, rhodamine, or fluorescein for detection of T. vaginalis with fluorescence microscopy. Repetitive DNA sequences were evident in the nuclei of the protozoa as intensively fluorescent regions, giving a spotted pattern. No cross-reactivity between the probes and the DNAs of mammalian cells, yeasts, or bacteria was noted. This technique is potentially useful for the diagnosis of human trichomoniasis in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Muresu
- Instituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Porto Conte, Italy
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18
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Ho MS, Conrad PA, Conrad PJ, LeFebvre RB, Perez E, BonDurant RH. Detection of bovine trichomoniasis with a specific DNA probe and PCR amplification system. J Clin Microbiol 1994; 32:98-104. [PMID: 8126211 PMCID: PMC262977 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.32.1.98-104.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomoniasis is a widespread, economically important venereal disease of cattle which causes infertility and abortion. Effective control of trichomoniasis has been impeded by the insensitivity of traditional diagnostic procedures, which require the isolation and cultivation of the parasite, Tritrichomonas foetus, from infected cattle. We developed a 0.85-kb T. foetus DNA probe by identifying conserved sequences in DNAs from T. foetus that were isolated from cattle in California, Idaho, Nevada, and Costa Rica. The probe hybridized specifically to DNAs of T. foetus isolates from different geographic areas but not to DNA preparations of Trichomonas vaginalis, bovine cells, or a variety of bacteria from cattle. The probe detected DNA from a minimum of 10(5) T. foetus organisms. To improve sensitivity, a partial sequence of the probe was used to identify oligonucleotide primers (TF1 and TF2) which could be used to amplify a 162-bp product from T. foetus DNAs by PCR. A chemiluminescent internal T. foetus sequence probe was hybridized to Southern blots of the amplification product. This system detected as few as one T. foetus organism in culture media or 10 parasites in samples containing bovine preputial smegma. Analysis of 52 clinical samples showed that 47 (90.4%) of the 52 samples were correctly identified, with no false-positive reactions. In comparison, the traditional cultivation method detected 44 (84.6%) of the 52 samples from T. foetus-infected and uninfected bulls. These results indicate that the PCR-based amplification system could be a useful alternative method for the diagnosis of bovine trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Ho
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616
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Riley DE, Krieger JN. Rapid and practical DNA isolation from Trichomonas vaginalis and other nuclease-rich protozoa. Mol Biochem Parasitol 1992; 51:161-3. [PMID: 1565132 DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(92)90212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D E Riley
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
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