The test relates to the serological diagnosis of genital infections. The test material is blood serum, in which antibodies to the pathogen (trichomonad) are detected. Antibodies are components of the body's immune system that are produced to destroy a particular foreign protein-antigen. In this case, the antigen is chlamydia (Trichomonas vaginalis). There are several types of antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM.
However, the immune system cannot cope with trichomonads, even with very high concentrations of antibodies. Each of these antibodies has its own function and its own period of occurrence. IgM is produced as early as 5 days after infection. IgM peaks at 1-2 weeks, then there is a gradual decrease in their number, and after 2-3 months the antibodies disappear completely even without treatment (IgG replaces them). If during the chronic course of trichomoniasis there is an exacerbation, IgM reappears.
There is also a high-precision PCR method for diagnosing trichomoniasis, which detects not antibodies to the microbe, but directly the pathogen itself. Its only disadvantage is that a false negative result is possible due to non-compliance with the rules of preparation for the test or violation of the technique of sampling biomaterial. Therefore, for a comprehensive reliable diagnosis of the disease, it is necessary to conduct two of these tests simultaneously.
Genitourinary trichomoniasis is a non-gonococcal inflammatory disease of the genitourinary tract. The causative agent of this disease is the urogenital trichomonas (Trichomonas vaginalis), which is a single-celled microorganism with flagella, which allows the trichomonas to move actively and quickly enough. Trichomonas vaginalis can form pseudopodium (pseudopods), which makes it possible for it to easily penetrate into the intercellular spaces.
The infection is transmitted sexually. And regardless of the form of sexual contact, including oral and anal sex. Infection by household means is less likely, since trichomonads are very sensitive to various environmental factors, especially drying, so they quickly die while outside the human body. Infection of newborn children from an infected mother is also possible, but, as a rule, the percentage of such infections does not exceed 5 percent in the general population.
A very interesting fact is the ability of T. Vaginalis to phagocytize (eat) other bacteria, such as gonococcus or chlamydia. At the same time, it is important that these bacteria do not die, but retain their vital functions until the trichomonas cell membrane collapses, after which the absorbed gonococcus or chlamydia come out and can cause chronic inflammation. The latter is observed in the treatment of antiprotozoal drugs.
Another interesting fact is that the human body is not capable of producing specific antibodies against trichomonads, so subsequent infection is possible immediately after complete cure if there is repeated contact with an infected patient. A possible explanation for this phenomenon may be the presence of trichomonas in the human body as a historical fact of the "symbiosis" of microorganisms with higher forms of life.
The clinical picture
In women:
- Abundant discharge of white or yellowish-green color with an unpleasant, fish-like smell.
- Itching and burning in the genital area, spreading to the inner thighs.
- Redness and swelling of the external genitalia.
- Frequent and painful urination.
- Pulling pains in the lower abdomen.
- Painful sexual contact.
As a rule, trichomonas affect the lower parts of the genitourinary system. This is primarily because the conditions of existence of trichomonads in this part are the most favorable, especially in terms of their reproduction. In exceptional cases, trichomonas penetrate the uterus cavity and fallopian tubes with the development of endometritis and salpingitis. Ultimately, like any other urogenital infection, trichomoniasis can lead to infertility.
For men:
As a rule, men have either no symptoms at all, or they are very mild and often remain unnoticed, gradually turning into a chronic course of the disease. Chronic infection with weakened immunity can provoke the onset of acute inflammatory reactions (for example, prostatitis) against a background of seemingly complete health. It is important to remember that a long-term trichomonas infection can lead to infertility.
