Trichomonas vulvovaginitis

Trichomonas vulvovaginitis is a very common sexually transmitted infection of the female genitalia. The causal agent is the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, living in a humid environment.

Life Cycle of Trichomonas vaginalis

Clinical Image

In women, the vagina and urethra are the most affected. It manifests in a foamy, yellowish-green vaginal discharge. The illness is associated with unpleasant odour, burning, dysuria, swollen labia, dyspareunia and the finding of small red dots - haemorrhages on cervix. Men are usually vectors, infection is often asymptomatic or with signs of urethritis.

Diagnosis

It is carried out microscopically in a native preparation or culture. The sample is taken from cervix, fornix vaginae, urethra, and urine. There may also be used direct immunofluorescence and ELISA.

Differential Diagnosis

We need to distinguish other vaginal inflammation.

 For more information see Vaginal microbial image.

Therapy

Metronidazole 2 × 500 mg/day for 7 days or 2 g as a single dose.

Progress and Prognosis

In women, treatment with antibiotics is necessary; in men, it usually disappear spontaneously.

Links

Related articles

• Vulvovaginitis
  • Bacterial vaginosis
  • Vulvovaginitis candidomyceta
  • Trichomonas vulvovaginitis

Bibliography

• ŠTORK, Jiří, et al. Dermatovenerologie. 1. edition. Praha : Galén, Karolinum, 2008. 502 pp. ISBN 978-80-7262-371-6.