Trichomonas vaginalis origins, molecular pathobiology and clinical considerations

Genital mycoplasmas, which can be vertically transmitted, have been implicated in preterm birth, neonatal infections, and chronic lung disease of prematurity. Our prior work uncovered 16S rRNA genes belonging to a novel, as-yet-uncultivated mycoplasma (lineage ‘Mnola’) in the oral cavity of a premature neonate. Here, we characterize the organism’s associated community, growth status, metabolic potential, and population diversity. Sequencing of genomic DNA from the infant’s saliva yielded 1.44 Gbp of high-quality, non-human read data, from which we recovered three essentially complete (including ‘Mnola’) and three partial draft genomes (including Trichomonas vaginalis). The completed 629,409-bp ‘Mnola’ genome (Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii str. UC-B3) was distinct at the strain level from its closest relative, vaginally-derived Ca. M. girerdii str. VCU-M1, which is also associated with T. vaginalis. Replication rate measurements indicated growth of str. UC-B3 within the infant. Genes encoding surface-associated proteins and restriction-modification systems were especially diverse within and between strains. In UC-B3, the population genetic underpinnings of phase variable expression were evident in vivo. Unique among mycoplasmas, Ca. M. girerdii encodes pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase and may be sensitive to metronidazole. This study reveals a metabolically unique mycoplasma colonizing a premature neonate, and establishes the value of genome-resolved metagenomics in tracking phase variation.

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“…We considered that (1) T . vaginalis is rarely found in neonates 23 ; (2) other Trichomonas spp. (e.g., T .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii replicates, diversifies, and co-occurs with Trichomonas vaginalis in the oral cavity of a premature infant

Costello

Sun

Carlisle

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…The normal vaginal pH is 4.5 and it is increased to 5 or more in presence of T. vaginalis . This enhancing of pH promotes the reduction of Lactobacillus acidophilus presence - the healthy microbiota which protects the vaginal epithelium - and consequently, contributes to the multiplication of anaerobic bacteria responsible for the bacterial vaginosis 612. This disturbance of genital tract site does not necessarily lead to a symptomatic condition.…”

Section: The Trichomoniasis Clinical Spectrum and Health Consequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The spectrum of trichomoniasis in men is less well characterized than in women once the infection is commonly self-limited and transient 1273. These characteristics may be associated to the oxidative nature of male genital fluid that is hypothesized to be inhibitory to certain pathogenic factors as well as to the zinc concentration in prostatic fluid which acts as cytotoxic factor 66.…”

Section: The Trichomoniasis Clinical Spectrum and Health Consequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trichomoniasis – are we giving the deserved attention to the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide?

Menezes

Frasson

Tasca

2016

MIC

114

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Etiology: Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. Transmission: Trichomoniasis is transmitted by sexual intercourse and transmission via fomites is rare. Epidemiology, incidence and prevalence: The WHO estimates an incidence of 276 million new cases each year and prevalence of 187 million of infected individuals. However, the infection is not notifiable. Pathology/Symptomatology: The T. vaginalis infection results in a variety of clinical manifestations - in most cases the patients are asymptomatic, but some may develop signs typically associated to the disease. Importantly, the main issue concerning trichomoniasis is its relationship with serious health consequences such as cancer, adverse pregnancy outcomes, infertility, and HIV acquisition. Molecular mechanisms of infection: To achieve success in parasitism trichomonads develop a complex process against the host cells that includes dependent- and independent-contact mechanisms. This multifactorial pathogenesis includes molecules such as soluble factors, secreted proteinases, adhesins, lipophosphoglycan that culminate in cytoadherence and cytotoxicity against the host cells. Treatment and curability: The treatment with metronidazole or tinidazole is recommended; however, cure failures remain problematic due to noncompliance, reinfection and/or lack of treatment of sexual partners, inaccurate diagnosis, or drug resistance. Therefore, new therapeutic alternatives are urgently needed. Protection: Strategies for protection including sexual behavior, condom usage, and therapy have not contributed to the decrease on disease prevalence, pointing to the need for innovative approaches. Vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of long-lasting humoral immunity associated to the absence of good animal models.

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“…Infection with this organism is associated with severe health complications, such as vaginitis, preterm delivery, urethritis, prostatitis, infertility, and increases in the risks of prostate and cervical cancer. It has also been implicated in facilitating the infection and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (2)(3)(4).…”

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confidence: 99%

The Glycolytic Enzyme Triosephosphate Isomerase of Trichomonas vaginalis Is a Surface-Associated Protein Induced by Glucose That Functions as a Laminin- and Fibronectin-Binding Protein

et al. 2016

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dTriosephosphate isomerase of Trichomonas vaginalis (TvTIM) is a 27-kDa cytoplasmic protein encoded by two genes, tvtim1 and tvtim2, that participates in glucose metabolism. TvTIM is also localized to the parasite surface. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify the novel functions of the surface-associated TvTIM in T. vaginalis and to assess the effect of glucose as an environmental factor that regulates its expression and localization. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) showed that the tvtim genes were differentially expressed in response to glucose concentration. tvtim1 was overexpressed under glucose-restricted (GR) conditions, whereas tvtim2 was overexpressed under glucose-rich, or high-glucose (HG), conditions. Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assays also showed that glucose positively affected the amount and surface localization of TvTIM in T. vaginalis. Affinity ligand assays demonstrated that the recombinant TvTIM1 and TvTIM2 proteins bound to laminin (Lm) and fibronectin (Fn) but not to plasminogen. Moreover, higher levels of adherence to Lm and Fn were detected in parasites grown under HG conditions than in those grown under GR conditions. Furthermore, pretreatment of trichomonads with an anti-TvTIMr polyclonal antibody or pretreatment of Lm-or Fn-coated wells with both recombinant proteins (TvTIM1r and TvTIM2r) specifically reduced the binding of live parasites to Lm and Fn in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, T. vaginalis was exposed to different glucose concentrations during vaginal infection of women with trichomoniasis. Our data indicate that TvTIM is a surface-associated protein under HG conditions that mediates specific binding to Lm and Fn as a novel virulence factor of T. vaginalis.T richomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite responsible for human trichomoniasis, the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection, which affects over 276 million people annually worldwide (1). Infection with this organism is associated with severe health complications, such as vaginitis, preterm delivery, urethritis, prostatitis, infertility, and increases in the risks of prostate and cervical cancer. It has also been implicated in facilitating the infection and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (2-4).To establish an infection in the vagina, T. vaginalis must cross the vaginal mucus, adhere to the vaginal and cervical epithelia, and multiply in and colonize the urogenital tract (2, 5). The vagina is one of the most complex mucosal microenvironments and is constantly changing during the menstrual cycle. However, in vitro studies have shown that T. vaginalis adapts and responds to these changes, modulating the expression of multiple genes, including those encoding virulence factors, to maintain a chronic infection (6).Energy generation is vital to the maintenance of chronic infection and depends on the availability of nutrients, such as iron and a carbon source. For T. vaginalis, glucose is the major energy source under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. With...

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Trichomonas vaginalis origins, molecular pathobiology and clinical considerations

Cited by 71 publications

References 51 publications

Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii replicates, diversifies, and co-occurs with Trichomonas vaginalis in the oral cavity of a premature infant

Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii replicates, diversifies, and co-occurs with Trichomonas vaginalis in the oral cavity of a premature infant

Trichomoniasis – are we giving the deserved attention to the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide?

The Glycolytic Enzyme Triosephosphate Isomerase of Trichomonas vaginalis Is a Surface-Associated Protein Induced by Glucose That Functions as a Laminin- and Fibronectin-Binding Protein

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