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Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases
Trichomonas vaginalis Infections
(Trichomoniasis)
Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Infection with
Trichomonas vaginalis is asymptomatic in 90% of men and 50% of women infected with
this organism. Clinical manifestations in symptomatic postmenarcheal
female patients consist of a frothy vaginal discharge and mild
vulvovaginal itching and burning. Dysuria and, rarely, lower
abdominal pain can occur. The vaginal discharge usually is pale
yellow to gray-green and has a musty odor. Symptoms commonly
are more severe just before or after menstruation. The vaginal
mucosa often is deeply erythematous, and the cervix is friable
and diffusely inflamed, sometimes covered with numerous petechiae
("strawberry cervix"). Urethritis and, more rarely, epididymitis
or prostatitis can develop in infected males, but most are asymptomatic.
Reinfection is common.
Trichomonas vaginalis is considered an
important cofactor in amplifying human immunodeficiency virus
transmission.
ETIOLOGY: Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan
that is slightly larger than a granulocyte. It depends on adherence
to host cells for survival.
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Trichomonas vaginalis infection is the second
most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States
and commonly coexists with other conditions, particularly infection
with
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and
Chlamydia trachomatis and bacterial
vaginitis. The
. . . [Go to Full Text]
Related text in Red Book:
- Drugs for Parasitic Infections
Red Book
2006: 790-820.
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