The interaction of Trichomonas vaginalis with epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and erythrocytes on vaginal smears: light microscopic observation

In this study, vaginal smears taken from 400 patients were examined cytolog ically using the Papanicolaou technique. Twenty of the 400 patients were de tected as harbouring Trichomonas vaginalis. The interactions of T. vaginalis with epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear l eucocytes (PMNLs) and erythrocytes were determined at light microscopic lev el. It was observed that T. vaginalis were juxtaposed to the epithelial cel ls and changed shape according to the contours of the epithelial cell revea ling the cytopathic effect of trichomonads on epithelial cells. Trichomonads attached to PMNLs produced pseudopodia to phagocytose the cell s. Occasionally an amoeboid shaped T. vaginalis organism was seen trailed b y a row of PMNLs. This light microscopic study supports the production by t richomonads of a chemotactic factor for PMNLs. Phagocytosed erythrocytes were also seen in the cytoplasm of T. vaginalis, suggesting the need for the patient to be tested for anaemia.