In vitro susceptibility of Trichomonas vaginalis to zinc

The prostate has long been considered to be a site of sequestration of Trichomonas vaginalis. From this reservoir, organisms are thought to be shed during intercourse and produce repeated infections in the female genitourinary tract. Bacteria known to cause prostatitis are inhibited by concentrations of zinc found in uninfected prostatic secretions. The present study demonstrates a similar inhibitory effect of zinc on the growth of T. vaginalis. This finding would suggest that, in otherwise healthy males, the prostate is not likely to be a reservoir for latent infection by these organisms.