Experimental rat prostatitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis infection

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Parasitology
• Inflammation Research

Background:

• Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted parasite linked to prostate conditions.
• Previous research has not established a causal link between T. vaginalis and prostatitis in animal models.
• This study addresses the gap by investigating T. vaginalis-induced prostatitis in rats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if urethral infection with Trichomonas vaginalis can induce prostatitis in a rat model.
• To characterize the pathological changes and inflammatory responses in the prostate following T. vaginalis infection.

Main Methods:

• Wistar rats were infected with T. vaginalis via the urethra.
• Prostate tissues were analyzed for parasite presence, pathological changes (inflammation, fibrosis), mast cell infiltration, and CCL2 levels at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-infection.

Main Results:

• T. vaginalis trophozoites were detected in rat prostates.
• Significant pathological changes, including inflammation in ventral and dorsolateral lobes, were observed.
• Increased mast cell infiltration/degranulation and elevated CCL2 levels were noted in infected prostates.

Conclusions:

• Urethral injection of T. vaginalis successfully induced prostatitis in rats.
• The findings demonstrate T. vaginalis infection causes prostatitis, characterized by inflammation, mast cell activity, and CCL2 production.
• This study provides the first animal evidence of T. vaginalis-induced prostatitis.