title: Trichomonas vaginalis: pathogenicity and potential role in human reproductive failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Trichomonas vaginalis, which colonizes the genitourinary tract of men and women, is a sexually transmitted parasite causing symptomatic or asymptomatic trichomoniasis. The host-parasite relationship is very complex, and clinical symptoms cannot likely be attributed to a single pathogenic effect. Among the many factors responsible for interactions between T. vaginalis and host tissues, contact-dependent and contact-independent mechanisms are important in pathogenicity, as is the immune response.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review focuses on the potential virulence properties of T. vaginalis and its role in female and male infertility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It highlights the association between T. vaginalis infection and serious adverse health consequences experienced by women, including infertility, preterm birth and low-birth-weight infants. Long-term clinical observations and results of in vitro experimental studies indicate that in men, trichomoniasis has been also associated with infertility through inflammatory damage to the genitourinary tract or interference with sperm function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results contribute significantly to improving our knowledge of the role of parasitic virulence factors in the development of infection and its role in human infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Ludwig Rydygier Medical Center in Lodz, 13 Sterlinga Street, 90-217, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mielczarek
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostics and Treatment of Parasitic Diseases and Mycoses, Medical University of Lodz, Pl. Hallera 1, 90-647, Lodz, Poland. joanna.blaszkowska@umed.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blaszkowska
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility; D008297:Male; D014245:Trichomonas Infections; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000472:pathogenicity*
keywords: Infertility; Pathogenesis; Trichomonas vaginalis; Trichomoniasis