Trichomonas vaginalis DNA

General information:

Trichomoniasis (trichomonas)

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases that largely affects both sexes.

Trichomoniasis is in the group of sexually transmitted diseases, which is caused by a parasite - Trichomonas vaginalis. The source of the infection is only the infected person - a sick person or a parasite carrier (who does not show symptoms). Transmission is mainly sexual, less important is contamination from pools, contaminated underwear, toiletries and others.

METHOD OF INFECTION:

Trichomoniasis is mainly sexually transmitted. A person becomes infected through direct contact with an infected partner, most often heterosexual, and the infection is transmitted from the penis to the vagina and vice versa, as well as through mutual masturbation, vulva-to-vulva contact, and also when exchanging sex toys. Women are infected by contact with an infected man or woman, while men are most often infected by contact with an infected woman. In women, there is a small possibility of infection through domestic means (using shared towels, bathtubs, ladies' showers).

PREDISPOSING FACTORS:

Predisposing factors for infection with Trichomonas vaginalis in women are certain hormonal changes, such as an increased level of estrogens, which under normal conditions is observed in the period after menstruation, also during pregnancy or during treatment with estrogens. Another factor is the presence of accompanying bacterial flora, which leads to a change in the pH of the female vagina from acidic to alkaline and accordingly reduces its protective functions against trichomonas.

INCUBATION PERIOD:

The incubation period (the time from contact with an infected partner to the appearance of the first symptoms) cannot always be accurately determined, since some people (especially men) may not have any symptoms of the disease for a long period of time (so-called asymptomatic carriers). On average, the incubation period is about 7 days.

SYMPTOMS:

In women:
In women, the vagina, cervix and urethra are affected, with the most common manifestation being vaginal involvement (so-called trichomonas vaginitis). Its symptoms are:
- increased vaginal secretion;
- the discharge is foamy with a yellow-gray-greenish color and a bad smell;
- itching in the vagina;
- vaginal discomfort;
- pain in the vagina during intercourse (dyspareunia);
- bleeding during or after intercourse;
When the cervix is affected, characteristic sores and small hemorrhages are formed on the vaginal part of the cervix (the so-called "Strawberry cervix"), which are visible when examined with a speculum by a gynecologist or dermatovenerologist and are an important guide for doctors for placement of the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.
If the urethra is affected, manifestations such as burning and pain during urination are possible.
In 10-20% of infected women, infection with Trichomonas vaginalis is asymptomatic, i.e. they have no complaints and the infection is discovered incidentally during a prophylactic examination.

For men:
In men, the urethra is affected, and with long-term carriage and when untreated, the infection can affect the prostate and the epididymis (a small gland located in the scrotum, just above the testicle, which is involved in sperm production).
Some of the infected men have no or mild symptoms. This favors the spread of infection between partners.
In another part of men, the disease proceeds violently as an acute urethritis with a whitish-yellow discharge from the canal, burning and pain during urination.
In another part of men, the symptoms are scarce and manifest as:
- Secretion from the urethra in the form of a morning drop with a yellowish-white or transparent appearance;
- Itching in the canal;
- Redness of the opening of the canal;

COMPLICATIONS:

If the trichomonas infection is not treated, the following complications may occur:

- In women, other glands located in the lower part of the urogenital tract may be affected: Skene's glands and Bartholin's glands, and the symptoms are most often pain in the affected area.
Rarely, the fallopian tubes can be affected, leading to salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in sterility.
Trichomonas vaginalis leads to the development of changes in the epithelium of the cervix, which are also observed in cervical cancer.

- In pregnant women, trichomonas infection can lead to premature birth of a premature fetus.
In the case of trichomonas infection, as already mentioned, sores can form in the vagina and on the cervix, which facilitates infection with the AIDS-HIV virus.

- The following complications may occur in men:
- Affecting the prostate - prostatitis: This is the most common complication in men.
- Affecting the glands of Littre, Cooper's glands, epididymis, testicles;
- In some cases, the head of the penis and the foreskin may be affected and small sores may form;

MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS:

The diagnosis is made by a specialist dermatovenerologist, urologist or gynecologist after an examination and carrying out the necessary tests.

Vaginal secretion in women is examined. In the urine of women, trichomonas are found relatively rarely.

In men, urine, urethral secretion, semen, prostatic expressum (secretion from the prostate) are examined, depending on the age of the infection.

Important: PCR - diagnosis of trichomonas - a reliable method that detects the presence of DNA from trichomonas in the examined sample. It does not give information about whether the trichomoniasis is alive or not, and it is possible that the reaction remains positive in the clearance period after the treatment for trichomoniasis is completed.

Sample required:

Urine, vaginal secretion, urethral secretion, ejaculate
Dry dacron/polypropylene swab. It is possible to swab in liquid PCR transport medium to be transported up to 24 hours at (2-8°C) after collection/separation. The laboratory can provide it to the patient in advance.

Key words:

Trichomonas vaginalis, DNA testing