Review of trichomonas vaginalis in Iran, based on epidemiological situation

Trichomoniasis, which is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection [STI] in the world including Iran. There were roughly 250 million new cases all over the world in a year. T. vaginalis as an important disease has been associated with HIV [in terms of exposure to sexually transmitted infection, STI] which increases the number of high-risk members, and thus it is an important public health problem. Additionally, this pathogen has been associated with serious health consequences. For instance, it may cause a woman to deliver a low-birth-weight or premature infant, and increase chances of cervical can-cer. Because little information is available about the prevalence of T. vaginalis infec-tion in Iranian population, this review was carried out to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalis among Iranian population. For this systematic review, data about epi-demiology of T. vaginalis in different parts of Iran with different populations were systematically collected from 1992 to 2017 through the international databases such as PubMed, Scirus, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Science Direct and Google Scholar and Islamic World Science Citation Center [ISC]. National database searching included Iran Medex, Iran Doc, Magiran and Scientific Information Data-base [SID]. A total of 39 clinical and laboratory investigations about the prevalence of Trichomoniasis from different regions of Iran were analyzed. The overall preva-lence rate of T. vaginalis infection in Iranian population was estimated to be mini-mally 0.4% and maximally 42%. The present review showed that T. vaginalis infec-tion rate is relatively high among the Iranian population. The control strategies, in-cluding personal hygienic education, simultaneous couple treatment, the sensitivity of diagnostic methods, appropriate preventive tool [condom] in sexual contacts could lead to the disruption of transmission

Therapeutic effects of Iranian herbal extracts against Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated parasite affecting about 276 million people annually worldwide. Tricomoniasis is associated with different complications in pregnant women and infants. S'-nitroimidazole derivatives [metronidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole] are FDA approved drugs recommended for trichomoniasis treatment. Treatment with metronidazole S'-nitroimidazole derivatives is associated with many side effects, and drug resistance to metronidazole has been reported in some cases. Recently, many attempts have been made to evaluate the effects of plants on causative agents of vaginal infections. In our research, the national and international databases were searched and the effects of various herbal extracts on T. vaginalis in Iran were reviewed from 2006 to 2016. In articles investigated, some plants had favorable antitrichomonal effects and needed to be further investigated. All the plant extracts have only been evaluated in vitro. Surveys of different articles in this review show that the active ingredients present in different parts of plants, including aerial parts, leaves, flowers, stems, and root can be suitable sources for introducing and developing new antitrichomonal compounds

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Kashan city, Iran [2012-2013]

Trichomonas vaginalis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in humans. T.vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan with a predilection for human urogenital tract and causative agent for vaginitis, cervicitis and urethritis in females. T.vaginalis infection is associated with risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infectivity and pregnancy complication. In this study, the prevalence of T.vaginalis in individuals who referred to public health units in Kashan city, Iran was investigated. This study was conducted on 970 women and 235 men who referred to 5 government health centers in Kashan, Iran during October 2012 to August 2013. Demographic information was collected as per the study protocol. Vaginal discharges and urine samples were obtained and examined by Trypticase-Yeast Extract Maltose [TYM] culture medium and wet-mount methods. The prevalence of T. vaginalis was determined using culture based method and wet-mount examinations. The overall prevalence of trichomonal infection was 2% [95% CI, 2 +/- 0.08]. The age of infected individual was 33.7 +/- 9.4 years. All of those infected, were married housewives and 58.3% of them had primary school education. No statistical correlation was observed between clinical manifestations and parasitological results [p=0.8]. This study showed a relatively low prevalence of T.vaginalis infection in the study population. Since the clinical signs of trichomoniasis are the same of other Sexually Transmitted Diseases [STDs], confirmatory laboratory tests are necessary. Due to adverse outcomes of disease, there is a great need for public education regarding implementation of personal hygienic measures and prevention of inappropriate sexual contacts