Trichomonas
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Trichomonas is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is caused by a parasite called Trichomoniasis vaginalis. The infection is more common in women than in men and older women are more likely to have it than younger women. Trichomonas is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. Ongoing research investigates the performance of the Colli-Pee in the detection and screening of trichomonas.
- Symptoms of Trichomonas
- Prevention of Trichomonas
- Detection of Trichomonas
- Treatment of Trichomonas
- Consequences of Trichomonas
- Novosanis' research on Trichomonas and the Colli-Pee
Symptoms of Trichomonas
Unfortunately, Trichomoniasis often does not produce any symptoms, so it can remain undetected. About 70% of infected people do not have any signs or symptoms. Some patients do suffer from symptoms, these can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation (1).
Symptoms of Trichomonas for men
Many men infected with Trichomonas never develop symptoms. The most recognizable symptoms of Trichomonas for men are those of an urethra infection:
- Transparent or white secretion from the penis
- Burning feeling while urinating
- Uncomfortable feeling during ejection
Symptoms of Trichomonas for women
Women with Trichomonas infections may experience:
- Vaginal discharge
- Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals
- Discomfort with urination
- Discharge with an unusual smell that can be clear, white, yellowish or greenish
Prevention of Trichomonas
Like most STIs, Trichomonas can be prevented by using a condom during sexual contact. A condom offers good protection against Trichomonas.
Next to primary prevention, screening can help to detect asymptomatic cases and prevent further spread of the infection. For example, communities with a high prevalence of STIs can be screened using swabs or first-void urine for the detection of Trichomonas infections (2).
Colli-Pee could significantly improve these type of screening programs. With Colli-Pee, the collection of first-void urine is assured, making the option of a urine sample more reliable fot both female and male participants. The first-void urine collector is also easy-to-use. Home-based sampling can reduce feelings of shame connected to Trichomonas testing and urine collection in the doctors office. With Colli-Pee, urine samples can be obtained in the home environment.
Detection of Trichomonas
Trichomonas cannot be detected based on symptoms alone. It can be detected by the examination of a swab specimen (from the cervix for women or from the urethra for men) taken by a clinician, of self-collected vaginal swabs, or of voided urine. The urine sample for detection of Trichomonas has to consist of first-void urine (the first part of the urine stream), as this part of the urine stream contains significantly more DNA particles than other parts, making detection of Trichomonas more sensitive (3).
This urine can easily be collected at home, for example by using the Colli-Pee. This device contains a floater system which captures the first part of the urine stream, or first-void urine. A self-collection at home with the Colli-Pee avoids the need for an intimate, and possibly uncomfortable, examination and makes testing much easier especially for women.
Treatment of Trichomonas
Trichomonas is treated with antibiotics (metronidazole or tinidazole). The patients partner - even if he/she is not infected with Trichomonas - should be treated simultaneously.
Consequences of Trichomonas
If left untreated, Trichomonas can have serious complications for both men and women. In women, the genital inflammation caused by Trichomonas might increase a womens risk of acquiring HIV infections if she is exposed to HIV. It can also cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) (4).
Novosanis' research on Trichomonas and the Colli-Pee
During an evaluation of home based samples collected with Colli-Pee versus a clinic-based urine collection cup, 11 additional infections were found in home-based samples collected with Colli-Pee. 3 Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), 2 Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), 6 Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infections, compared to the clinic-collected samples. A total of three STIs (1 CT and 2 MG infections) were not detected in the home-based sample. (5)
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