Trichomonas vaginalis
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Between 1934 and 1939, Trichomonas vaginalis was identified and classified by Procaccini, an Italian scientist, in Ethiopia. Little information is known of the discovery of Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis, a flagellated protozoan, is the causative agent of trichomoniasis belongs to the kingdom Archezoa. The members of this group, E. histolytica and G. lamblia, are parasitic protozoas that adhere to the host lumen, are fermenters (anaerobic respiration), and lack mitochondria. Instead of mitochondria they have a hydrogenosome that generate molecular hydrogen and produce ATP, among its many functions. All the members of Archezoa also have eight flagella and 2 nuclei. Five flagella are near the cytosome, four of which extend outside the cell together. The fifth flagellum’s functionality is the least understood; it wraps along the surface of the organism. Opposite the four flagella that extends outward, lies the barb-like axostyle. The axostyle forms a complex of cross-linked microtubules. The axostyle may be used for attachment to host lumen and can cause the tissue damage noted in trichomoniasis infections. The flagella and axostyle are distinguishing features of T. vaginalis. T. vaginalis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause sexually transmitted disease in humans; mostly affects the female urinal tract. It is important to isolate the microorganism in the urine by examining morphology and motility. According to the WHO, there are approximately 180 million cases of T. vaginalis worldwide and according to the CDC, 7.4 million new cases occurs in the United States of America.This creates an important health concern.
Genome structure
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Ecology
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Pathology
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Application to Biotechnology
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Current Research
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