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Chapter 86: Trichomonas Vaginitis

E.J. Mayeaux, Jr.; Richard P. Usatine

PATIENT STORY

A 17-year-old teen presents with vaginal itching, odor, and discharge for several weeks. She has one partner who is asymptomatic. Speculum examination shows a cervix (Figure 86-1) with a copious foamy white discharge with a fishy odor. Wet mount shows trichomonads swimming in saline (Figures 86-2 and 86-3). The trichomonads are larger than white blood cells (WBCs) and have visible flagella and movement. She is diagnosed with trichomoniasis and treated with 2 g of metronidazole in a single dose. The patient is tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and her partner is treated with the same regimen.

FIGURE 86-1

Speculum examination showing the strawberry cervix pattern seen with Trichomonas infections. This strawberry pattern is caused by inflammation and punctate hemorrhages on the cervix. There is a scant white discharge. (Reproduced with permission from Richard P. Usatine, MD.)

A photo of a speculum examination shows the cervix with reddish spots and mild whitish discharge.
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FIGURE 86-2

Wet mount showing Trichomonas in saline under low power. There are two visible trichomonads to the right and above the tip of the pointer. The largest cells are vaginal epithelial cells with visible nuclei. (Reproduced with permission from Richard P. Usatine, MD.)

A photo shows a microscopic view of wet mount preparation. Trichomonads appear as teardrop shaped organisms, smaller than vaginal epithelial cells.
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FIGURE 86-3

Wet mount showing Trichomonas (arrows) in saline under high power. The smaller, more granular cells are white blood cells. (Reproduced with permission from Richard P. Usatine, MD.)

A photo shows a microscopic view of wet mount preparation. Arrows indicate the presence of Trichomonads in high power, appearing as elongated organisms, larger than leukocytes in the field.
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INTRODUCTION

Trichomonas vaginitis is a local infection caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis that is associated with vaginal discharge and irritation. The patient often has an itch and an odor along with the discharge but may be asymptomatic.

SYNONYMS

Trichomoniasis, trich, tricky monkeys.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infection in the United States, affecting an estimated 3.7 million persons.1

  • The worldwide prevalence of trichomoniasis is estimated to be 180 million cases per year; these cases account for 10% to 25% of all vaginal infections.2

  • Cross-sectional data from the 2003–2004 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) shows 3% of female adolescents (aged 14 to 19 years) had laboratory evidence of infection with T. vaginalis.3

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

  • Trichomonas infection is caused by the unicellular protozoan T. vaginalis.4

  • The majority of men (90%) infected with T. vaginalis are asymptomatic, but many women (50%) report symptoms.5

  • The infection is predominantly transmitted via sexual contact. The organism can survive up to 48 hours at 10°C (50°F) outside the body, making transmission from shared undergarments or from infected hot spas possible although extremely unlikely.

  • Trichomonas infection is associated ...

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