Biological variability of trichomonas vaginalis clinical isolates fom symptomatic and asymptomatic patients

The vaginal specimens of 60 women were cultured using modified thioglycolate medium. Thirteen samples were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. The pathogenicity of these clinical isolates was investigated by intraperitoneal injection to mice. Additionally, their susceptibility to metronidazole was evaluated. All the clinical isolates produced infection in mice, but marked variations in pathogenicity and susceptibility were observed. Four out of 13 isolates produced mortality in mice, indicating a higher pathogenicity of the four isolates. Concerning metronidazole susceptibility, only one isolate was considered resistant and the other twelve showed different degrees of susceptibility