Trichomoniasis Prevalence at a Care Center Among Women with High-Risk Behaviors in Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) attributed to Trichomonas vaginalis, an anaerobic, flagellated protozoan parasite. Although trichomonacidal drugs effectively kill Trichomonas, the infection rate is still high. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of T. vaginalis among women with high-risk behaviors in Zahedan, Southeast Iran. Patients and Methods: In total, 90 symptomatic women, aged 20 to 60 years, were recruited between February and May 2017. The samples were smeared and cultured. After extracting DNA, the actin gene was amplified via nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Of the 90 samples including vaginal secretions and urine specimens, 23.3% (21/90) were positive for T. vaginalis based on wet mount microscopy. All wet mount positive samples were also T. vaginalis positive by PCR and cultivation. The highest prevalence of trichomoniasis was observed at the age of 31 to 40 years (38.09%). Trichomoniasis showed no significant difference by age groups (P > 0.05 on the chi-square test). Four PCR-positive samples were successfully analyzed by RFLP, which were associated with genotype E. Conclusions: The current research reflected a high level of infection in women with high-risk behaviors in Zahedan, southeastern Iran. To clarify the epidemiology of disease in this area, more studies in other populations are required.

Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in suspicious women referred to health centres in Tabriz, north of Iran by microscopy and PCR methods

“…In present study 48 were positive by papanicolauo staining were examined via PCR and surprisingly, molecular ampli cation did not detect more T. vaginalis cases than the papanicolauo staining and showed that 4 samples related to T. vaginalis. The result reported in our studywas in line with Haghighi et al study conducted in Zahedan, Iran and it was expected that the molecular method would produce better results; however, it should be attributed to the low amount ampli cation of DNA for visualization [10].Trichomonas prevalence varies in difference studies, which might be due to different factors, such as socio-demographic characteristics and personal hygiene [30].Current study was conducted in Tabriz, the largest city in northwest of Iran. According to ZiaeiHezarjaribiet al systematic review and meta-analysis study, trichomoniasis is more common in Central provinces of Iran and the minimum rate belongs to the eastern provinces and the mean prevalence rate in other geographical regions was 6.9, 6.7% in West, North respectively.…”

“…In present study, of 448 cases, 48 (10.7%) were positive by wet-mount staining examinations and 4 (0.89%) by PCR test (Table1). In the study conducted by Haghighi et al in Zahedan, therate of infection was determined to be 23.3% (21/90) based on wet mount microscopy [10]. The result of study conducted by Ambrozioet al in Brazil showed that 9% of patient were positive for T. vaginalis infection as diagnosed through the direct fresh examination [22].…”

“…Although data of prevalence and incidence of T. vaginalis infection are geographically variable, the highest new cases were reported in African, America, Western Paci c and South-East of Asia regions respectively (59.7, 85.4, 45.7 and 42.9 million cases) [5]. Several studies also have been conducted in Iran and the prevalence rate of infection in different age groups of women reported0.5% to about 39% [8][9][10].Tough the studies point out closely association of high prevalence of Trichomoniasis with population density, migration to suburb areas with poor socio-economic, cultural conditions, and high-risk behaviours among adolescents, accurate diagnosis of infection play signi cant role [8,11]. Trichomoniasis diagnosis isusually based only on the symptomshowever, this type of diagnosiscan lead to the misdiagnosis of infection, since some individual are asymptomatic or confused with other STDs [12].…”