Trichomonas Vaginalis

Question 1

What is trichomonas vaginalis?

Answer 1

flagellated protozoan - parasite of genital tract

Question 2

How is trichomonas vaginalis transmitted in adults?

Answer 2

sexually transmitted via trophozoite stage - organism reproduces through binary fission

Question 3

What are symptoms of TV in females?

Answer 3

• vaginal discharge
• vulval itching
• dysuria
• offensive odour
• vaginitis - contact bleeding

Question 4

What are symptoms of TV in males?

Answer 4

• urethral discharge
• dysuria
• urethral irritation
• urinary frequency

Question 5

What are findings of TV in females?

Answer 5

• vaginal discharge - thin and scanty to profuse and thick
• frothy yellow discharge
• strawberry cervix - 2%

Question 6

What are findings of TV in males?

Answer 6

• urethral discharge
• rarely balnoposthitis

Question 7

How is TV diagnosed in females?

Answer 7

• swab from posterior fornix (speculum examination)
• self-administered vaginal swabs

Question 8

How is TV diagnosed in males?

Answer 8

• swab from urethra
• first void urine

Question 9

What are complications of TV?

Answer 9

increased HIV transmission, pre-term delivery, low birth weight

Question 10

What is treatment of TV?

Answer 10

• symptomatic relief:
  
  • clotrimazole pessaries
  • metronidazole vaginal gel
• cure:
  
  • metronidazole 400-500mg bd for 1 week
  • metronidazole 2g orally stat