Question

An 18 year old girl presents to her pediatrician with her mother for her pre- college check-up. She has no past medical history. After her mother leaves the room for the social history component, the girl admits to having sex with her boyfriend for the first time two weeks ago and complains of a yellow green malodorous vaginal discharge that started a week ago. She endorses mild pelvic pain. A pelvic exam is performed and mild cervical tenderness is noted. The cervix is pink, nulliparous, inflamed and is covered by small red punctate spots. A thin yellow green frothy discharge of fishy odor is also detected. A wet prep is made and reveals squamous cells and numerous motile organisms (see image). a) Identify the disease presented by the patient. b) Identify the causal agent. Be as specific as possible based on the information provided (do not abbreviate). c) Identify at least one (1) antimicrobial that can be used to treat this patient. d) Is there a vaccine available for this pathogen? If so, name it.

Answer 1

ANSWER

Part a. The patient seems to be sufferring from ''Trichomoniasis'' (often called as trich). It is considered as sexually transmitted infection which is characterized by the presence of frothy yellow-green vaginal discharge with severe itching and redness around the vagina.

Part b. The causative agent for this condition is Trichomonas vaginalis. It is an obligate anaerobe which feeds on red blood cells and thus, leaves tiny punctuate red spots on the cervix. Humans serve as definite host for this parasite.

Part c. The patient can be treated with a single dose of antibiotic named as metronidazole or tinidazole. However, patient can get reinfected if her partner is left untreated. So, antibiotic medication is required for both of them.

Part d. Till now, there is no vaccine available for the treatment of trichomoniasis in humans. However, a vaccine called Trichguard, is used to prevent the trichomonas infection in cattle.