Immunological and Cytopathological Assessment of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Females at Menoufia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a common health problem all over the world. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence rate and risk factors of T. vaginalis in females in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt and assess some immunological parameters includingIL-2, IL-17, IL22 and INFᵧ and their relation to cytopathological changes in asymptomatic and symptomatic T. vaginalis infected females. Two hundred females aging between 18 and 50 years' old were classified into two groups: Group I: Asymptomatic females subdivided into subgroup I a (non-infected) from which control subgroup were selected and I b (infected).Group II: Symptomatic females was subdivided into subgroup II a (non-infected) and II b (infected).The groups were screened for T.vaginalis by direct wet mount, Giemsa, Acridine orange (AO) and Papanicolaou (Pap) stained vaginal smears and culture technique. Cytopathological examination was done by using pap smears. Immunological detection of vaginal IL-2, IL-17, IL-22 and IFNγ were assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results revealed that the prevalence rate of T. vaginalis was 22.5% (45/200) among the studied participants as proved by culture method, 25% (25/100) in asymptomatic females and 20% (20/100) in symptomatic females. There were significant elevated levels of IL-2, IL-17, IL-22 and IFN-γ in asymptomatic infected subgroup(Ib) than symptomatic infected subgroup (IIb) and control subgroup and decrease in cytopathological changes including halo cells, reactive nuclear changes and ghost cell. Elevated cytokines play a protective effect in asymptomatic T.vaginalis infected females proved by histopathological inflammatory reaction and decrease symptoms in these females.

Is trichomoniasis associated with adverse preganancy outcome?

“…Hamdy and Hamdy [2] declared that the wet mount and Giemsa stained smear had sensitivities of 16.7% and 50%, respectively, and specificities of 100% and 100%. When compared to the Diamond reference index, Hegazy et al [37] showed that Giemsa stained smear and wet mount detected 30/200 (15%) and 26/200 (13%) positive cases, respectively, with sensitivities of 67%, 58%, and specificities of 100%, and 93.5% respectively. Ibrahim et al [35] also reported that direct wet mount smear and Giemsa stained smear detected six cases, compared to nine by MDM with sensitivity and specificity for both of 66.67% and 100% respectively as compared to the Diamond culture.…”