Trichomoniasis: A Neglected Parasitic Disease among Women Attending Teaching Hospitals in Sari.

Background and purpose: Trichomoniasis, is a protozon infection in lower urinary reproductive tract with various prevalence rate in different populations. In this study we investigated that as a neglected parasitic disease in Women's Clinic attending Teaching Hospitals affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Material and methods: This descriptive study was performed in 1900 samples during 2006-2014. Active and passive case finding was conducted at 400 patients and 1500 archived smears, respectively. After preparing a demographical check list, the wet smears of vaginal specimens and Pap smears were microscopically examined. For molecular confirmation of positive samples the nested PCR was performed. To analyze the data chi-square test was applied in using SPSS V.19. Results: A total of 1900 samples were analyzed in this study of which 21 (1.1%) were infected with Trichomonas vaginalis. The 1100 bp band corresponding actin gene T. vaginalis was successfully amplified. Also, 64.7% of positive samples had trichomoniasist candidiasis and bacterial co-infections. The prevalence of infection was higher in those aged 35-44 years of old. Conclusion: The results showed that prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis was relatively low in studied area. But, the disease is regarded as neglected among women aged 35 to 44 years of old. Therefore, further investigations are recommended among this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]