Murine pathogenicity of Trichomonas vaginalis & its susceptibility to metronidazole

Eight isolates of T. vaginalis obtained from clinical specimens were tested for their pathogenicity in the murine model using the subcutaneous route of inoculation. In general, all isolates produced localised purulent abscesses in the mice. On comparison with a reference strain, all but two isolates were found to be significantly more pathogenic for mice than the reference strain, while two were comparable in their pathogenicity. All eight isolates were sensitive in vivo to metronidazole. In six of the eight isolates, metronidazole (30 mg/kg body wt) administered for four days to subcutaneously infected mice effected a 100 per cent cure. The ED50 values ranged from 3.4 to 23.94 mg/kg body weight. None of the isolates could be termed as resistant.