Trichomonas Vaginalis
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Revision as of 04:35, 8 July 2010
Trichomonas Vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic, flagellated protozoan, a form of microorganism. It is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, and is the most common pathogenic protozoan infection of humans in industrialized countries.
| Domain | Eukarya |
|---|---|
| (Unranked) | Excavata |
| Phylum | Metamonada |
| Class | Parabasalia |
| Order | Trichomonadida |
| Genus | Trichomonas |
| Species | T. vaginalis |
| Binomial | Trichomonas vaginalis |
Contents |
Surface Characteristics
T. vaginalis trophozoite is oval, flagellated protozoan with size of 9 X 7 μm. Out of five flagella near the cytostome, four immediately extend outside the cell together, while the fifth flagellum wraps backwards along the surface of the organism. A conspicuous barb-like axostyle projects opposite the four-flagella bundle, that may be used for attachment to surfaces and may also cause the tissue damage noted in trichomoniasis infections.
Transmission
Its transmission mainly takes place during anal sex, mutual masturbation when bodily fluids from one partner come in contact with the other's genitals, oral sex and vaginal sex.
Pathogenic Activity
It causes Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection which can occur in females if the normal acidity of the vagina is shifted from a healthy, semi-acidic pH (3.8 - 4.2) to a much more basic or alkaline one (5 - 6) that is conducive to T. vaginalis growth.
Virulence
In females it may cause preterm delivery, low birth weight, and increased mortality as well as predisposing to HIV infection, AIDS, and cervical cancer.
