Master Trichomonas vaginalis (OLD VERSION) with Picmonic for Medicine

Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic protozoa that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection of the urogenital tract. Unlike other protozoa, this organism does not have a cyst phase and the trophozoites are directly passed from person to person through sexual contact. Rates of infection between men and women are similar. Women commonly present with vaginitis with pruritus and burning and have a characteristic foul smelling greenish vaginal discharge. Some women with infection will have a strawberry cervix, which is an erythematous cervix with punctate areas of exudation caused by capillary dilation from inflammation. Infections in men are often asymptomatic. Trichomoniasis can be diagnosed via wet mount prep, which demonstrates a characteristic “corkscrew” motility. Infection is treated and cured by metronidazole.