[Survival ability of Trichomonas vaginalis in mineral baths]

The role of mineral thermal baths and particularly of bath fittings such as benches and toilet seats in the spreading of Trichomonas vaginalis is controversial. In order to clarify the possibility of transmission by smear infection of this ubiquitous urogenital parasite the ability to survive was investigated in 11 mineral baths in Baden-Württemberg by contamination of water samples of varying mineral content. In addition, Trichomonas-contaminated water samples were placed in Petri-dishes on different benches in the bath area to determine the different milieu-factors influencing survival and thus the possibility of smear infections. The determination of viable cells was carried out by recultivation and semiquantitative extinction measurement. The survival time of Trichomonas vaginalis in the water samples of the 11 mineral baths varied considerably from 30 min up to more than 3 hours. The total mineral content played the most important role. When exposed in Petri dishes in addition the evaporation of the medium (mineral water) is of importance. Generally at high evaporation rates the cells will lose viability faster than in closed tubes. But also in open dishes in 4 mineral baths viable Trichomonads were still detectable after 3 hours. Generally the ability of Trichomonas vaginalis to survive in water of a total mineral content of 0.05-2.2% is increased to such an extent that infection is theoretically possible. Transmission in the mineral pool itself appears nevertheless highly unlikely due to the dilution effect of the enormous water volume. However transmission of infection via wet, contaminated benches and toilet seats cannot be generally ruled out.