Trichomonas vaginalis infection and pregnancy outcome

Trichomoniasis is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease worldwide; T. vaginalis increases the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we aimed to detect the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection in pregnant women and to determine the influence of trichomoniasis on pregnancy outcome. Vaginal swab specimens were obtained from 200 symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant females, for whom clinical examination, vaginal discharge wet mount, Giemsa stain, and culture in modified Diamond’s media were performed. Metronidazole treatment was given for all positive cases. Sociodemographic information was collected, and cases were divided into two groups, the study group (infected) and the control group (not infected). Twenty four cases were positive for T. vaginalis infection. Cases were mostly detected by culture (12%) followed by wet mount microscopy and Giemsa staining (8.5%). Twelve of the 24 positive cases (50%) had preterm delivery. Low birth weight infant were observed in 17/24 cases (70%). The high rate of infection was observed in age group of 26–35 years (P = 0.017). In addition, there was a significant T. vaginalis infection in pregnant women with vaginal discharge and a history of previous infection (P < 0.05). Preterm delivery was statistically significant in cases with bad compliance to metronidazole treatment (p = 0.004). Our results highlight the presence of preterm delivery and delivery of Low birth weight infants in pregnant women infected with trichomonas vaginalis with vaginal discharge and a history of previous infection. So married women should be screened for trichomoniasis to reduce the incidence of preterm delivery and low birth weight.