Association between red blood cell folate and Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women

Abstract

Background Increased folic acid has been found to be latently protective against gynecological infection, including several kinds of vaginosis. In this study, we laid emphasis on whether RBC (Red Blood Cell) folate was associated with the infectious ratio of Trichomonas vaginalis, a kind of anaerobic parasitic protozoan. Methods We set RBC folate as the exposure variable and Trichomonas vaginalis as the outcome variable. Other subsidiary variables were regarded as covariates that may work as potential effect modifiers. The cross-sectional study was conducted with two merged waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2004, and a sample of 1274 eligible women (1212 negative and 62 positive in Trichomonas vaginalis infection) was integrated for the exploration of the association between RBC folate and Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Multivariate regression analyses, subgroup analyses, and subsequent smooth curve fittings were conducted to estimate the relationship between RBC folate and Trichomonas vaginalis in women. Results In the multivariable logistic regression analyses, a negative association was observed between stratified RBC folate status and Trichomonas vaginalis infection with all confounders adjusted. Referencing the lowest RBC folate concentration quartile, the higher concentration quartiles reported a relatively lower infection ratio, while there was a weak correlation between total RBC folate concentration and T. vaginalis (Trichomonas vaginalis) infection. In subgroup analyses stratified by BMI and age, this association was only found significant in high age and BMI groups. Conclusions The cross-sectional study indicated a negative association between RBC folic acid and Trichomonas vaginalis infection, and latent effects of BMI and age on the association were also found.

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Trichomonas vaginalis Infection Among American Adults: NHANES 2013–2016

“…Model 2 was adjusted for model 1 + age, marital status, education level, family income, smoking status, alcohol use, and BMI. Model 3 was adjusted for model 2 + age at first sexual intercourse, lifetime number of sexual partners, number of sexual partners in the past year, and condom usage, based on previous literature 3,19–21 …”

“…Model 3 was adjusted for model 2 + age at first sexual intercourse, lifetime number of sexual partners, number of sexual partners in the past year, and condom usage, based on previous literature. 3,[19][20][21] In addition, we examined sex, age, race or ethnicity, BMI, number of sexual partners, and condom use as potential effect modifiers in the association between 25(OH)D and TV infection. We used multivariate logistic regression and visualized the 25 (OH)D distribution in different subgroups using box plots.…”