Trichomonas infection influences the vaginal microbiome

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection is known to be associated with a number of serious long-term sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease and acquisition of HIV. Studies have shown that the microbiological environment of the vagina can interact with TV: pre-existing bacterial vaginosis (BV—defined by Nugent Score [NS]) is a risk factor for TV infection, and antibacterial treatment of TV in HIV-positive women with BV is less effective than in those without BV. These data suggest that the pre-existing vaginal microbiota can offer a protective environment for TV in the vagina. Now, a new study has shown that TV infection is strongly associated with the vaginal microbiotic environment, which is altered in women with TV infection, possibly influenced by TV itself for its own benefit.