OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
MORPHOLOGY
TRANSMISSION
EPIDEMIOLOGY
CAUSES
OF TRICHOMONIASIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUTION
Trichomonas vaginalis, an anaerobic, parasitic, flagellated
protozoa. It is the causative agent of Trichomoniasis and is the most
pathogenic protozoan infection of humans in the industrialized countries
The flagellate was originally considered a commensal organism
until the 1950s when the understanding of its role as a sexually transmitted
infection (STI) began to evolve.
MORPHOLOGY
Two T. vaginalis trophozoites obtained from in vitro culture.
TRANSMISSION
Trichomonas vaginalis is usually a
sexually transmitted disease. The flagellates are the infective forms.
Transmission is
primarily through contact between genital membranes, although it can on rare
occasions be transmitted through communal bathing use of infected public
facilities, and from mother to child. The incidence of the infection is highest
among promiscious young women already infected with other sexually transmitted
disease such as Gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
EPIDERMIOLOGY
Trichomoniasis has a world wide distribution. Man is the reserviour of the infection.
The infected genital discharge being the source of infection.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms and signs of trichomoniasis
in the female includes a frothy, foul-smelling green to yellow vaginal
discharge vulvities; cervitis and painful urinary frequency, severe
inflammation of the infection site, tenderness edema, Chating and Itching.
CAUSES OF
TRICHOMONIASIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Age related
prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis indicated the highest occurrence
among pregnant women of 21-30 years old.
Literacy level and
pregnancy trimesters were found to be related to Trichomonas vaginalis
infection.
DIAGNOSIS
v Cultural methods
v Wet mount
v Serological method
v Biochemical test
v Polymerase chain
reaction (PCR)
TREATMENT
Treatment is by
administration of metronidazole given orally.
Reinfection is common
if sexual partners are not treated at the same time.
PREVENTION AND
CONTROL
The most effective
prevention method is abstinence that is refraining from sex completely.
No sexual contact
means no risk of developing an STI. Practicing monogramy, in which
two partners do not
have sexual relations with anyone but each other, also greatly reduce
the risk of spreading
and contracting STIs.
Latex condoms are an
effective, although not perfect, form of protection from STIs.
CONCLUSION &
RECOMMENDATION
The prevalence
observed in this study appeared to suggest the existence of relatively high
rate of this infection among pregnant women which in effect indicates that the
organism is still largely present in the population. It further suggests that
trichomoniasis has neither been the focus of intense study nor active control
programs probably due to the relatively mild nature of the disease.