We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Persistent Trichomoniasis Infection Found in Pregnant Women

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 Aug 2018
Trichomoniasis is a very common sexually transmitted disease (STD). More...
It is caused by infection with a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Although symptoms of the disease vary, most people who have the parasite cannot tell they are infected.

Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STD. In the USA, an estimated 3.7 million people have the infection. However, only about 30% develop any symptoms of trichomoniasis. Infection is more common in women than in men. Older women are more likely than younger women to have been infected with trichomoniasis.

Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC, USA) determined the rate of persistent T. vaginalis infection among pregnant women post-treatment. Their secondary objective was to determine if oral multi-dose metronidazole was associated with fewer cases of persistent T. vaginalis compared to single dose treatment. The team carried out a retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with genital T. vaginalis from 2008 to 2017. They calculated the rate of persistent trichomoniasis by dividing the number of positive Trichomonas tests collected ≥ 21 days post-treatment by the total number of women treated and retested.

The physicians reported that 542 women with 565 pregnancies were diagnosed with T. vaginalis infection. The majority of subjects were prescribed either single dose (n=352) or multi-dose metronidazole (n=74). Post-treatment Trichomonas tests were collected ≥ 21 days in 326 subjects and 44% (143) were positive. Rates of positive Trichomonas tests among women receiving single dose and multi-dose regimens were similar (45% versus 40%). Women who had ≥ 1 pregnancy affected by Trichomonas infection were more likely to have a positive test post-treatment. Obese women were less likely to have a positive test post-treatment.

The authors concluded that given high rates of positive Trichomonas tests and increased detection with nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs); all pregnant women should be retested with NAATs around three weeks post-treatment. Further studies are needed to determine the most effective treatment of Trichomonas infection in pregnant women. The study was published on July 31, 2018, in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Related Links:
Medical University of South Carolina


Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
New
Pipette
Accumax Smart Series
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.