The negative influence of Trichomonas vaginalis on pregnancy and treatment strategies.: Trichomonas vaginalis and pregnancy

Cezary Dawid Zieliński; Natalia  Czerwińska; Çiğdem Arabacı

doi:10.5281/zenodo.14982644

Authors

Cezary Dawid Zieliński Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Ludwig Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Faculty of Medicine, Toruń, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5661-7546
Natalia Czerwińska Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Ludwig Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Faculty of Medicine, Toruń, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7569-296X
Çiğdem Arabacı University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcioğlu City Hospital, Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0050-3225

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14982644

Keywords:

Metronidazole, pregnancy, Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a parasite that invades the urogenital tract, causing numerous pathologies. Two main genotypes can be distinguished, which differ in their response to treatment.
Trichomoniasis is the second most prevalent curable sexually transmitted infection worldwide, with an
estimated annual incidence ranging from 170 to 256 million cases, including approximately 25 million
cases among pregnant women. This patient group is highly susceptible due to hormonal changes
occurring during pregnancy. A rise in estrogen concentration causes a change in the pH of vaginal
secretions, and increased epithelial exfoliation favors parasite colonization. In addition to causing
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and cervical cancer, TV infection may also contribute to
low birth weight, preterm rupture of membranes (PROM), and preterm birth (PTB). Moreover, TV is a
risk factor for HIV infection. The treatment of trichomoniasis in pregnant women remains a subject of
debate. Although the WHO recommends metronidazole, its use is often substituted due to concerns
regarding its transplacental transport and the potential for TV resistance. This paper aims to analyze the available literature concerning the diagnosis, symptoms, complications, and treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis invasion during pregnancy.

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