title: Trichomonads in pleural effusion: case report, literature review and utility of PCR for species identification.
abstract: Trichomonas tenax is a flagellated protozoan commonly found in the human oral cavity but of unusual occurrence in pulmonary infections. We describe a case of a 67-year-old patient with glioblastoma who presented with severe pleurisy in the post-operative period while she was receiving high-dose corticotherapy. Several motile flagellated protozoa were identified in the pleural fluid. Trichomonas tenax was identified by molecular methods. Pulmonary infections with Trichomonads might be underestimated because of diagnostic difficulties. The utility of molecular biology for species identification is underlined and the pathogenicity of Trichomonad parasites in human lungs is discussed in light of previously reported cases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biologie medicale, Centre Hospitalier Departemental La Roche-sur-Yon, Les Oudairies, France.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leterrier
authors.forename: Florent
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morio
authors.forename: Beno T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Renard
authors.forename: Anne-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miegeville
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chambreuil
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S / Q000235:genetics; D014244:Trichomonas / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S