Background and Aim: Trichomonas vaginalis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases of women and men in the world. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previous report of the prevalence and complications of trichomoniasis in women of Qom.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the prevalence of T. vaginalis in women whom were admitted to a referral gynecology clinic in the city of Qom. For this purpose, two diagnostic methods, wet mount and ITS-PCR, were used to examin the vaginal swabs taken from the participants. Microscopic examination of cellular morphology and bacteria was also conducted on the stained smear.
Results: Three hundered volunteers were enrolled. Of 300 specimens, 7 (2.67%) by wet mount and 34 (11.3%) by ITS-PCR method were positive. The positive results of ITS-PCR were confirmed by sequencing of PCR products. In comparison with women without T. vaginalis infection, infection with T. vaginalis was associated with increased the risks of low birth weight (OR=43.3; 95% CI=2.8-671.9), in women with history of abortion (OR=91.8; 95% CI=15.5-544.2), and in women with premature rupture of membrane (PROM) (OR=21.6; 95% CI=2.1-22.9). Probability of finding of epithelial cells (OR=36.9; 95% CI=6.9-197.3) and white blood cells (OR=43.3; 95% CI=2.8-665.1) in stained smear were higher in women with T. vaginalis compared to those without T. vaginalis.
Conclusion: Comparing with wet mount, ITS-PCR seems to be a more sensitive and reliable technique in detection of T. vaginalis infection in women. The high prevalence of trichomoniasis emphasizes the need for screening of women in Qom. Early examination and accurate diagnosis of T. vaginalis, especially in middle-aged women, could prevent pregnancy-related complications of T. vaginalis.
