Double-stranded RNA viral infection in Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis isolates

Trichomonas vaginalis can be infected with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses designated T. vaginalis virus (TVV), which may have important implications for trichomonal virulence and disease pathogenesis. We tested for TVV in 40 fresh T. vaginalis isolates from Cuban patients by total extraction of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). TVV was detected in 22 (55 percent) of the 40 T. vaginalis isolates. This gives an estimate of the infection rate of Cuban T. vaginalis isolates by the dsRNA virus. Future research should focus on the association between trichomonosis symptoms and the presence of TVV.