Identification of Trichomonas vaginalis 5-Nitroimidazole Resistance Targets

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection. 5-nitroimidazoles are the only FDA-approved medications for T. vaginalis treatment. However, 5-nitroimidazole resistance has been increasingly recognized and may occur in up to 10% of infections. We aimed to delineate mechanisms of T. vaginalis resistance using transcriptome profiling of metronidazole (MTZ)-resistant and sensitive T. vaginalis clinical isolates. In vitro, 5-nitroimidazole susceptibility testing was performed to determine minimum lethal concentrations (MLCs) for T. vaginalis isolates obtained from women who had failed treatment (n = 4) or were successfully cured (n = 4). RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and biostatistical analyses were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the MTZ-resistant vs. sensitive T. vaginalis isolates. RNA sequencing identified 304 DEGs, 134 upregulated genes and 170 downregulated genes in the resistant isolates. Future studies with more T. vaginalis isolates with a broad range of MLCs are needed to determine which genes may represent the best alternative targets in drug-resistant strains.

Restoration of Lactobacillus johnsonii and Enterococcus faecalis Caused the Elimination of Tritrichomonas sp. in a Model of Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis

“…Furthermore, certain protozoa possess antibiotic resistance and can inhabit vacant bacterial niches [3,4]. For instance, a decline in bacterial numbers corresponded with an 2 of 12 elevation in Tritrichomonas sp.…”

“…These strains were isolated from limited sources, mostly including fermented milk products. Recently, various candidate microorganisms isolated from the microbiota of healthy humans have been investigated for use as probiotics: Clostridium, Firmicutes spores, Bacteroides, and Roseburia [3,11].…”