Biological variability of Trichomonas vaginalis clinical isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

The vaginal specimens of sixty women were cultured using modified thioglycolate medium. Thirteen samples were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis 21.7%. Pathogenicity of these clinical isolates was investigated by intra-peritoneal 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 (30.8%) produced mortality in mice indicating higher pathogenicity of the 4 isolates. As to Metronidazole susceptibility, only one isolate was considered resistant and other 12 ones showed different degrees of susceptibility.