Trichomoniasis

This common STI causes pain and discomfort and may lead to premature or low birth weight babies.

Snapshot

  • Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection that affects 156 million people worldwide each year.
  • More than half of women with trichomoniasis infection experience symptoms including vaginal discharge, painful urination, and discomfort during sex.
  • Some men also experience symptoms, including irritation or discharge from the penis.
  • If pregnant women with trichomoniasis do not receive treatment, their babies may be born early or at a low birth weight.
  • Trichomoniasis infection increases the risk of acquiring HIV and other STIs.

Key Challenges

  • Although trichomoniasis infection is extremely common, vaccine research is nearly non-existent.
  • In some settings, trichomoniasis is still diagnosed using outdated, low-sensitivity microscopy.

Trichomoniasis Advocacy Needs

  • Are vaccines for trichomoniasis available? No.
  • Are tests available to detect trichomoniasis? Trichomoniasis may be diagnosed via a urine sample or vaginal swab, with both point-of-care and lab testing options.
  • Can trichomoniasis be cured? Yes.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine to prevent trichomoniasis, and vaccine research has been limited, though there have been promising very early stage studies.

pipeline graphic of where we are in a search for a vaccine

Advocacy Needs

  • Basic discovery and exploratory work is required to assess next steps in trichomoniasis vaccine development.

Diagnostics

In many settings providers continue to diagnose trichomoniasis using wet mount microscopy, the main option before molecular tests became available. These tests are relatively inexpensive and can be performed at the point of care, but they may miss as many as half of infections.

Molecular laboratory tests are now preferred, including combination tests that can detect several infections at one time from a urine sample of vaginal swab.

Point-of-care rapid antigen tests for trichomoniasis are also available.

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Advocacy Needs

  • Advocates should encourage countries to shift away from wet mount microscopy to more sensitive molecular and antigen tests.

Treatment

Trichomoniasis can be cured through oral treatment, usually using metronidazole or tinidazole. Research on treatment efficacy remains limited, especially among men.

Advocacy Needs

  • Advocates should press for investment in R&D to identify effective and affordable trichomoniasis treatment options.