Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis generally refers to infection of the genitourinary tract by the flagellate protozoon Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis also applies to infection of the intestinal tract by Trichomonas hominis Pentatrichomonas hominis and infection of the oral cavity by Trichomonas tenax Trichomonas buccalis and Trichomonas elongata. Trichomonas hominis and T. tenax will be discussed separately at the end of this chapter, since both are usually considered nonpathogenic in humans. Unusual presentations of T. tenax infection have been reported in the lung, submaxillary gland, lymph node, and body cavity. Unusual sites of T. vaginalis infections have been described in the brochopulmonary tree, body cavities, esophagus, and testes. There appears to be substantial genomic diversity among T. vaginalis in the United States.