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Trichomonas vaginalis: pathogenicity and potential role in human reproductive failure

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Abstract

Purpose

Trichomonas vaginalis, which colonizes the genitourinary tract of men and women, is a sexually transmitted parasite causing symptomatic or asymptomatic trichomoniasis. The host–parasite relationship is very complex, and clinical symptoms cannot likely be attributed to a single pathogenic effect. Among the many factors responsible for interactions between T. vaginalis and host tissues, contact-dependent and contact-independent mechanisms are important in pathogenicity, as is the immune response.

Methods

This review focuses on the potential virulence properties of T. vaginalis and its role in female and male infertility.

Results

It highlights the association between T. vaginalis infection and serious adverse health consequences experienced by women, including infertility, preterm birth and low-birth-weight infants. Long-term clinical observations and results of in vitro experimental studies indicate that in men, trichomoniasis has been also associated with infertility through inflammatory damage to the genitourinary tract or interference with sperm function.

Conclusion

These results contribute significantly to improving our knowledge of the role of parasitic virulence factors in the development of infection and its role in human infertility.

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Abbreviations

AP:

Adhesion proteins

CDC:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDF:

Cell-detaching factor

CN:

Cervical neoplasia

CP:

Cysteine peptidases

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

GFB:

Transforming growth factor beta

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

HPV:

Human papillomavirus

HSV:

Herpes simplex virus

IgA:

Immunoglobulin A

IgG:

Immunoglobulin G

IL:

Interleukin

ITS:

Internal transcribed spacer

NAATs:

Nucleic acid amplification tests

LPG:

Lipophosphoglycan

PID:

Pelvic inflammatory disease

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

STD:

Sexually transmitted disease

STI:

Sexually transmitted infection

TVVs:

Trichomonas vaginalis viruses

VECs:

Vaginal epithelial cells

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Ludwig Rydygier Medical Center in Lodz, 13 Sterlinga Street, 90-217, Lodz, Poland

    Ewelina Mielczarek

  2. Department of Diagnostics and Treatment of Parasitic Diseases and Mycoses, Medical University of Lodz, Pl. Hallera 1, 90-647, Lodz, Poland

    Joanna Blaszkowska

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Mielczarek, E., Blaszkowska, J. Trichomonas vaginalis: pathogenicity and potential role in human reproductive failure. Infection 44, 447–458 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-015-0860-0

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