D. Akyol et al., A comparative study of genotoxic effects in the treatment of trichomonas vaginalis infection: metronidazole or nalidixic acid, ARCH GYN OB, 264(1), 2000, pp. 20-23
We performed a prospective randomized study to compare the potential genoto
xic effects of metronidazole and nalidixic acid which they are used in the
treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. 20 patients with Trichomonas
vaginalis infections participated in this study. 14 patients with vaginal t
richomoniasis were treated with therapeutic doses of metronidazole 250 mg 3
times/d and six patients were treated with nalidixic acid 400 mg twice a d
ay for 10 d. The genotoxic potential of a variety of mutagenic and carcinog
enic agents can be evaluated by sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) test as a r
apid cytogenetic test. An increased number of exchanges in lymphocytes refl
ects the influence of mutagens. No significant difference was observed in t
he SCE frequency of metronidazole treated patient however, a statistically
significant increase (P<0.05) after nalidixic acid treatment could be descr
ibed. We conclude that in spite of wide use of nalidixic acid for Trichomon
as vaginalis infection, because of its potential genotoxic effect its usage
must be individualized especially for pregnant women and small babies.