Trichomonas vaginalis

Background

Microbiology

• Flagellate protozoan

Epidemiology

• Sexually-transmitted infection
• Asymptomatic people participate in transmission

Clinical Manifestations

• Many are asymptomatic
• Can cause vaginal discharge
• Can present with sterile pyuria

Diagnosis

• Can see motile trophozoite in wet mount of vaginal fluid, prostatic fluid, or urine
• Culture also possible
• ELISA for antigens exists
• Nucleic acid amplification tests are most sensitive