title: Host immune consequences of asymptomatic Trichomonas vaginalis infection in pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to define the impact of asymptomatic trichomoniasis on lower genital tract neutrophil activation in pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this nested cohort study, pelvic examination was performed on 65 asymptomatic pregnant women between 7 and 22 weeks' with vaginal pH > 4.4. Concentrations of cervical interleukin-8 and alpha-defensin were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Trichomonas vaginalis was detected by culture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median concentrations of vaginal fluid neutrophil defensins and cervical interleukin-8 were significantly greater among women with asymptomatic trichomoniasis (median defensins 18,622 ng/mL, median IL-8 9244 pg/mL) than their uninfected counterparts (median defensins 5144 ng/mL, median IL-8 2044 pg/mL) (P < .001). All women with asymptomatic trichomoniasis had detectable defensin and interleukin-8 concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asymptomatic trichomoniasis in pregnancy is accompanied by a state of neutrophil activation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Hyagriv N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Simhan
authors.forename: Brenna L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Marijane A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Krohn
authors.forename: R Phillips
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martinez de Tejada
authors.forename: Daniel V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Landers
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hillier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000276:immunology*; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000276:immunology*; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D023084:alpha-Defensins