Survival of Trichomonas vaginalis Exposed on Various Environmental Conditions

Ryu, Jae Sook; Lee, Mee Hwa; Park, Hyun; Kang, Ji Hyun; Min, Duk Young

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Trichomonas vaginalis is the common cause of sexually transmitted diseases. The present study was performed to find the possibility of other transmission mode of T. vaginalis than sexual transmission.
METHODS
Survivals of trophozoites suspended in various environmental conditions were measured by haemocytometer after trypan blue staining. Also, drying time of vaginal secretion exposed at different temperatures such as 4 degrees C, 26 degrees C, 30 degrees C were observed.
RESULTS
The survival rates of T. vaginalis decreased as the temperatures of tap water increased. The survival rates of trophozoites were less than 10% at 30 min-exposure at 4d degrees C or 15 min-exposure at 26 degrees C water. Hot water above 45 degrees C killed trichomonads in 5 minutes or so. T. vaginalis soaked in water from swimming pool and in cleaning solution deceased in about 5 minutes. When trophozoites were put into urines of six healthy person, the survival rates of T. vaginalis showed less than 10% after 24 hr exposure except KT4. The survival rates of trichomonads were changed according to individual urine on examined day, and isolate of T. vaginalis. The vaginal secretion was put on slide glass and leave alone until complete drying in 4degrees C refrigerator, 26 degrees C and 30 degrees C incubator. For drying of vaginal secretion, it took 70 minutes, 44 minutes and 26 minutes in 4 degrees C refrigerator, 26 degrees C and 30 degrees C incubators, respectively. The survival of trichomonads showed no change until complete dryness of vaginal secretion. T. vaginalis immersed in tap water for 5 minutes, was divided into two or many fragments. Some trichomonads were partially or completely destructed.
CONCLUSION
From above results, it is supposed that transmission of T. vaginalis by contaminated fomites such as toilet stool, toilet seats is possible although this type of transmission may not occur frequently.