[Cytotoxic activity of Trichomonas vaginalis supernatants toward cellular monolayers]

In the present paper we analyzed the cytopathogenic activity of 3 recently isolated strains of T. vaginalis on cellular monolayers of human and animal origin. Proliferation of protozoon was accompanied by the progressive and total disintegration of cellular monolayers. Supernatants obtained by incubating cellular monolayers and Trichomonas or Trichomonas alone showed a similar cytopathic effect. A less lytic activity was shown with supernatants containing fetal calf serum. Cytopathogenicity started at 9th hour and was completed at 24th hour. Both this activity and adherence to cells may contribute to the pathogenicity mechanism of T. vaginalis.