Inducing Immune Protection Against Trichomonas vaginalis: A Novel Vaccine Approach to Prevent HIV Transmission

: Trichomoniasis, one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections worldwide, is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The pathogen colonizes the human urogenital tract and the infection is associated with complications such as adverse pregnancy outcomes, cervical cancer, and an increase in HIV transmission. The mecha-nisms of pathogenicity are multifactorial, and controlling immune responses is essential for infection maintenance. Extra-cellular purine nucleotides are released by cells in physiological and pathological conditions, and they are hydrolyzed by enzymes called ecto-nucleotidases. The cellular effects of nucleotides and nucleosides occur via binding to purinoceptors, or throughthe uptake by nucleoside transporters. Altogether, enzymes, receptors and transporters constitute the purinergic signaling, a cellular network that regulates several effects in practically all systems including mammals, helminths, proto-zoa, bacteria, and fungi. In this context, this review updates the data on purinergic signaling involved in T. vaginalis biol-ogy and interaction with host cells, focusing on the characterization of ecto-nucleotidases and on purine salvage pathways. The implications of the final products, the nucleosides adenosine and guanosine, for human neutrophil response and vagi-nal epithelial cell damage reveal the purinergic signaling as a potential new mechanism for alternative drug targets.

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HIV Transmission and Immune Protection at Mucosal Surfaces

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Activation and Immune Regulation VII ◽

10.1007/978-1-4615-5355-7_18 ◽

1998 ◽

pp. 169-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marian R. Neutra

Keyword(s):

Hiv Transmission ◽

Immune Protection ◽

Mucosal Surfaces

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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Annual Trichomonas vaginalis Screening and Treatment in HIV-Positive Women to Prevent HIV Transmission

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

10.1097/olq.0000000000000008 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 353-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Gweneth Bratton Lazenby ◽

Elizabeth Ramsey Unal ◽

Annie Lintzenich Andrews ◽

Kit Simpson

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Cost Effectiveness Analysis ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Effectiveness Analysis ◽

Hiv Positive Women

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Comparison of conventional testing to polymerase chain reaction in detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in indigenous women living in remote areas

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/095646205774988019 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 811-815 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

K S Smith ◽

S N Tabrizi ◽

K A Fethers ◽

J B Knox ◽

C Pearce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Remote Areas ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Conventional Methods

There are high rates of Trichomonas vaginalis in remote areas of Central Australia. Conventional tests for T. vaginalis have low sensitivity in this setting. Aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of T. vaginalis, to assess the presence of clinical signs and symptoms, to compare a T. vaginalis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with conventional methods of diagnosis, and to compare the PCR from different samples, including self-collected swabs (SCS). Of 205 women recruited, the prevalence of T. vaginalis was 24%. The prevalence of T. vaginalis was higher in women under 25 years (33%), compared with those who were 25–34 years (26%) and those over 35 years (15%, P < 0.05). The sensitivity of T. vaginalis PCR detection from SCS (94%) was not statistically different from a practitioner-collected HVS (96%), but was superior to urine PCR (74%) and conventional methods. After multivariate analysis, those women with high pH were almost three times more likely to be positive for T. vaginalis (odds ratio = 2.71 with 95% confidence interval 1.06–6.93, P = 0.037). Superior assays such as PCR should be a diagnostic option to adequately screen and treat women with T. vaginalis, in order to reduce complications, including the increased risk of HIV transmission.

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Vaginitis: Review on Drug Resistance

Current Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1389450121666200804112340 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (16) ◽

pp. 1672-1686

Author(s):

Graziela Vargas Rigo ◽

Tiana Tasca

Keyword(s):

Drug Resistance ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Age Groups ◽

Well Being ◽

Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽

Candida Spp ◽

Genital Tract Infections ◽

Tract Infections

Female genital tract infections have a high incidence among different age groups and represent an important impact on public health. Among them, vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vulva and/or vagina due to the presence of pathogens that cause trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Several discomforts are associated with these infections, as well as pregnancy complications and the facilitation of HIV transmission and acquisition. The increasing resistance of microorganisms to drugs used in therapy is remarkable, since women report the recurrence of these infections and associated comorbidities. Different resistant mechanisms already described for the drugs used in the therapy against Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida spp., and Gardnerella vaginalis, as well as aspects related to pathogenesis and treatment, are discussed in this review. This study aims to contribute to drug design, avoiding therapy ineffectiveness due to drug resistance. Effective alternative therapies to treat vaginitis will reduce the recurrence of infections and, consequently, the high costs generated in the health system, improving women’s well-being.

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HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Moscow (Russia): prevalence and associated risk factors

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2019-054299 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 96 (8) ◽

pp. 601-607

Author(s):

Adeline Bernier ◽

Tatiana Rumyantseva ◽

Laura Reques ◽

Natalia Volkova ◽

Yan Kyburz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Workers ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Female Sex ◽

Associated Risk Factors

To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with HIV and five other STIs among outdoor female sex workers (OSFW) and indoor FSW (IFSW).MethodsCross-sectional survey using respondent-driven sampling methodology. Participants answered a bio-behavioural questionnaire and were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), syphilis (lifetime contact) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Weighted HIV and other STIs prevalence and 95% CIs were calculated. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with having at least one STI (including HIV).ResultsBetween October 2017 and July 2018, 385 FSW participants were recruited, among whom 206 (53.5%) were IFSW and 179 (46.5%) were OFSW. The mean age was 31.4 years. Weighted HIV prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 1.5 to 7.0). Weighted prevalence of other STIs was: 4.1% (95% CI 2.2 to 8.0) for NG, 8.8% (95% CI 5.9 to 13.0) for CT, 12.7% (95% CI 8.6 to 18.0) for TV, 13.9% (95% CI 9.9 to 19.0) for syphilis (lifetime contact) and 14.9% (95% CI 10.5 to 21.0) for MG. STI prevalence was significantly higher among OFSW for CT, TV and MG (p<0.001). In total, 43.2% of the participants had at least one HIV/STI. Factors associated with having HIV/STI were being an OFSW (OR 3.29; 95% CI 1.72 to 6.27); being registered in another Russian region (2.61 (95% CI 1.05 to 6.48)); having never been tested for HIV (2.51 (95% CI 0.98 to 6.41)) and having a low level of knowledge regarding HIV transmission (4.88 (95% CI 0.96 to 24.78)).ConclusionPrevalence of HIV and STIs was high among FSW in Moscow. OFSW were more vulnerable to STIs. There is an urgent need to tailor programmes for sexual and reproductive health for FSW in Russia.

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Sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Mongolia: potential impact on the Mongolian HIV epidemic

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/0956462053057693 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 153-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Oyunbileg Amindavaa ◽

Sibylle Kristensen ◽

Chin Y Pak ◽

Davaajav Khalzan ◽

Byambaa Chultemsuren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Treatment And Prevention ◽

Hiv Epidemic ◽

Triple Infection

We conducted Mongolia's first nation-wide cross-sectional survey of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant women attending prenatal care. Among our 2000 participants, 386 (19.3%) were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis, 133 (6.7%) with Trichomonas vaginalis, 121 (6.1%) with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and 128 (6.4%) were seropositive for Treponemal antibodies. None of our participants were seropositive for HIV infection. Additionally, 605 (30.3%) of the women had at least one STI, 133 (6.7%) had a double infection, and 15 (0.8%) had a triple infection. Our results suggest that STIs are a serious problem in Mongolia. Pregnant women represent a lower-risk general population; these high STI rates suggest that at this nascent stage, the identification, treatment, and prevention of STIs as risk factors for HIV transmission are crucial in the prevention of the emerging Mongolian HIV epidemic.

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Current Issues and Considerations Regarding Trichomoniasis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in African-Americans

Clinical Microbiology Reviews ◽

10.1128/cmr.00002-08 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 37-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Shira C. Shafir ◽

Frank J. Sorvillo ◽

Lisa Smith

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

African Americans ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Critical Role ◽

African American Community ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

High Level ◽

Prevention Of Hiv

SUMMARY Trichomonas vaginalis has long been recognized as one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections. However, it is only in recent years that it has been appreciated that Trichomonas may play a critical role in amplifying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Given the evidence that T. vaginalis likely promotes HIV infection, the apparent high level of Trichomonas infection in the African-American community is cause for concern. Even if T. vaginalis increases the risk of HIV transmission by a small or modest amount, it translates into a sizable population effect since Trichomonas is so common in this community. Therefore, control of trichomoniasis may represent an important avenue of control for the prevention of HIV transmission, particularly among African-Americans.

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