Vaginal microbiocenosis in women with trichomoniasis

Background. Trichomoniasis is accompanied by substantial colonization of the genital tract by various opportunistic microorganisms and reduced amount of lactobacilli. Both processes have a negative impact on the reproductive health and fetal development. Today, however, in the treatment of trichomoniasis insufficient attention is paid to the restoration of the normal vaginal microflora. Aim. An attempt was made to assess the vaginal microbiocenosis of patients with trichomoniasis using traditional and novel molecular methods. Matherials and Methods. Archived vaginal samples from 37 women with trichomoniasis were used, which were placed on slides, fixed in the flame and stained according the Gram method and by methylene blue and stored in boxes within last 15 years. The preparations were evaluated using microscopy and the nucleic acid amplification based test Femoflor and tests for the detection of DNA of sexually transmitted agents. Results. According to the microscopic examination, disorders of the vaginal microbiocenosis were detected in 89.2% of patients with trichomoniasis. C. trachomatis was detected in 8.1% of the samples. Obligate anaerobic microorganisms were determined in all samples, accounting for 8% to 100% of the total bacterialthe majority of the women. Facultative anaerobic microflora was also found in all the patients. Lactobacilli were detected in 8.1% of the women, and mycoplasma – in 37.8%. Conclusions. It was shown that in women with trichomoniasis there are often disturbances of the normal vaginal flora, manifested as the presence of a variety of opportunistic bacteria, accompanied by an inflammatory response. Almost half of the preparations showed bacterial vaginosis. Noteworthy, there was high prevalence of Mycoplasma hominis. For the first time, a technique of DNA testing in the materials placed on glass slides after prolonged storage was applied.