title: Molecular Characterization ofTrichomonas vaginalisStrains Based on Identifying Their Probable Variations in Asymptomatic Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to identify theTrichomonas vaginalisstrains/haplotypes based on identifying their probable variations in asymptomatic patients referred to Tabriz health centers, northwestern Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sampling was taken from 50-suspected women toT. vaginalisin northwestern Iran. The obtained samples were smeared and cultured. Fifty DNA samples were extracted, amplified and identified by nested polymerase chain reaction and PCR-RFLP of actin gene using two endonuclease enzymes:MseI andRsaI. To reconfirm, the amplicons of actin gene were directly sequenced in order to identify the strains/haplotypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCR-RFLP patterns, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed definitely the presence of the G (n=22; 73.4%) and E (n=8; 26.6%) strains. Multiple alignments findings of genotype G showed five haplotypes and two amino acid substitutions in codons 192 and 211 although, no remarkable unique haplotype was found in genotype E.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The accurate identification ofT. vaginalisstrains based on discrimination of their unknown haplotypes particularly those which are impacted on protein translation should be considered in parasite status, drug resistance, mixed infection with HIV and monitoring of asymptomatic trichomoniasis in the region.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spotin
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sanaz Taghizadeh
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Eghtedar
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahbazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salehpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; East Azerbaijan Province Health Center, Tabriz Health Center, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Seddigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarafraz
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shariatzadeh
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahami-Oskouei
keywords: Actin gene; Asymptomatic infection; Genotypes; Trichomonas vaginalis