Trichomoniasis in older individuals: a preliminary report from Iran.

Abstract

Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in humans. The prevalence of infection in Iran has been reported 0.009-8% depending on deferent socio-cultural conditions. This study aimed to determine the frequency of T. vaginalis according to age in patients referred to clinics, hospitals and medical diagnostic laboratories in Karaj city, Iran. For this purpose, fifty positive samples were collected from July 2012 to June 2014 from clinics, medical diagnostic laboratories and hospitals, then transferred to laboratory of parasitology and cultured in TYM medium. The results showed that all isolates were successfully cultured. Among 50 positive specimens, 43 cases were female and 7 cases male. The most positive cases (34%) belonged to the ages over 50year's group. The lowest positive cases (2%) belonged to the ages of less than 20years group. In Conclusion, unlike other STDs, which have a higher prevalence among adolescents and young adults, the rates of trichomoniasis are more evenly distributed among sexually active women of all age groups. However, frequency of this infection in women aged over 50years (age of menopause) is notable and complementary studies are needed.