Effect of iron on the virulence of Trichomonas vaginalis

The role of iron was evaluated with respect to the virulence of Trichomonus vaginalis in mice. iron-supplemented and iron-depleted Diamond's trypticas e-yeast extract-maltose (TYM) media were prepared by adding 360 muM of ferr ous sulfate and 100 muM of 2,2'-dipyridyl. Trophozoites cultivated from nor mal TYM and iron-supplemented TYM media produced subcutaneous abscesses: ho wever. trichomonads grown in an iron-deficient TYM medium failed to produce any pathology. In addition to the increased virulence of trophozoites in m ice, iron affects the level of adherence and the cytotoxicity of trichomona ds to HeLa cells, which are significantly reduced in trophozoites grown in iron-deficient medium. in conclusion, it is suggested that under iron-deple ted conditions such as that induced by 2,2'-dipyridyl the virulence of T. v aginalis is reduced.