Trichomoniasis is perhaps the most common curable sexually transmitted disease worldwide, yet …

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Complications
• Conclusions
• References
• Figure

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Abstract

- Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis

Jane R. Schwebke^1*and Donald Burgess²

Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama,1 Department of Protistology, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia2
*Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, 703 19th St. South, Zeigler Research Bldg. no. 239, Birmingham, AL 35294-0007. Phone: (205) 975-5665. Fax: (205) 975-7764. E-mail: Schwebke@uab.edu.

Trichomoniasis is perhaps the most common curable sexually transmitted disease worldwide, yet few resources are devoted to its control. It is associated with potentially serious complications such as preterm birth and human immunodeficiency virus acquisition and transmission. The immunology of a related organism, Tritrichomonas foetus, which causes disease in cattle, has been investigated to some extent, but more work is needed for the human strain, Trichomonas vaginalis. In addition, although trichomoniasis is easily treated with oral metronidazole, there is concern that the number of strains resistant to this antibiotic are increasing, and currently no alternative is licensed in the United States. As more is appreciated concerning the important public health implications of this common infection, more work will need to be done in understanding the diagnosis, treatment, and immunology of this organism.

Clin Microbiol Rev. 2004 October; 17(4): 794–803.