Trichomonas vaginalis | |
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Trichomonas vaginalis observed by scanning electron microscopy showing the axostyle (ax), the anterior flagella (af) and the undulating membrane (rf).[1] | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Phylum: | Metamonada |
Order: | Trichomonadida |
Family: | Trichomonadidae |
Genus: | Trichomonas |
Species: | T. vaginalis
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Binomial name | |
Trichomonas vaginalis (Donné 1836)
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Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic, flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of a sexually transmitted disease called trichomoniasis. It is the most common pathogenic protozoan that infects humans in industrialized countries.[2] Infection rates in men and women are similar but women are usually symptomatic, while infections in men are usually asymptomatic. Transmission usually occurs via direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual, most often through vaginal intercourse. The WHO has estimated that 160 million cases of infection are acquired annually worldwide.[3] The estimates for North America alone are between 5 and 8 million new infections each year, with an estimated rate of asymptomatic cases as high as 50%.[4] Usually treatment consists of metronidazole and tinidazole.[5]
pmid21440359
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).