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.