[Electron microscopic study on Trichomonas vaginalis adhering to and phagocytizing male genitourinary epithelial cells].
OBJECTIVE
To observe Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) adhering to and phagocytizing male genitourinary epithelial cells in order to study the pathogenetic mechanism of male trichomoniasis.


METHODS
Cultured T. vaginalis bodies were incubated with male genitourinary epithelial cells, and then the ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
T. vaginalis adhered to epithelial cells like amoeba, and formed pseudopodium or surface invagination surrounding or nibbling other parts of the epithelial cytoplasm.


CONCLUSIONS
T. vaginalis has the speciality of adhering to and phagocytizing to male genitourinary epithelial cells. Genitourinary epithelial cells may be injured directly by the phagocytosis of T. vaginalis. Attention has to be paid to the correlation.
Chen
Wenlie
W
Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, China. chen.wl@163.com
Chen
Jinfu
J
Zhong
Xiurong
X
Lin
Xi
X
Chen
Lianyun
L
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000469:parasitology; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000648:ultrastructure*