Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic and parasitic flagellated protozoan that is frequently present in the vagina in women and the urethra in men. T. vaginalis only exists in a trophozoite stage, with four flagella and a single nucleus. Trichomoniasis can occur in females (males rarely exhibit any symptoms of a T. vaginalis infection) if the normal acidity of the vagina is shifted from a healthy pH of between 3.8 and 4.2 to a much more basic range of 5.0 to 6.0 that is conducive to Trichomonas vaginalis growth. T. vaginalis can be detected by studying discharge or with a pap smear and culturing. Condoms are effective at preventing infection. Metronidazole can treat an infection in progress.
Reference
- Tortora, Funke, and Case. Microbiology. 8th ed. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, 2004. ISBN: 0-8053-7613-5
External links
Template:Micro-stub
