Possible Association Between Trichomonas Vaginalis and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Hassan Fahim Kamel, Ghada Basil Ali
Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) represent a primary health concern, significantly impacting the quality of life of affected individuals. Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) may be a predisposing factor for rUTI, as it can irritate the urethra and vagina, increasing the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract and causing infection. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between TV concurrent infection and the occurrence of rUTI. A total of 100 mid-stream urine samples were collected from individuals with UTI; half had urinary tract infections (UTIs) for the first time, and the other half had a rUTI. After taking the sample and performing macroscopic and microscopic examinations, the sample is cultured on selective media and then identified by the VITEK 2 system. TV in urine samples was diagnosed by using nested PCR. Results: This study included 100 patients with UTIs aged between 18-50 years. The average age of the patients was 33.97±7.72. The percentage of females was 77% compared to 23% of males. Patients were from urban areas, 58% compared to 42% from rural areas. The current results showed that 17% of patients were positive for the diagnosis of TV, and 76.5% of rUTI were positive for TV. There is a genuine association between TV and rUTI. Individuals with UTIs are prone to have recurring episodes if they have a history of TV. TV is regarded as contributing factor for the recurrence of UTI.
Keywords: Trichomonas vaginalis, Urinary tract infections, Prevalence, Association
