Distribution and risk factors of Trichomonas vaginalis infection with relevance to interleukin profile among population in Duhok city, Iraq

Background

Vaginal trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease causes adverse health outcomes, the causative agent is Tichomonas vaginalis. Infected women develop abnormal vaginal discharge with vaginitis. While, men mostly suffer from prostatitis and urethritis.

Objectives

This study aimed to detect the rate of T.vaginalis infection in association with risk factors, measurement of blood parameters, interleukine-2 (IL-2) and interleukine-8(IL-8) levels among individuals.

Methods

A total of 500 females were tested, a vaginal swab and blood were collected from the participants, and they were within the age range of 18–70 years old. High vaginal swabs were examined microscopically using wet mount preparation, the blood used for measurement of blood parameters using coulter count machine and IL-2 and IL-8 levels were evaluated using ELISA technique.

Results

Out of 500 individuals, the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 45(9.0 %). The maximum infection rates were reported among age group (18–28) years, rural residents, illiterates, married women (16.7 %), (15.9 %),(30.0 %),(11.7 %),respectively. Moreover, high positivity of infection revealed among low economical level 12.5 % compared to only 1.7 % in high economy group. Unemployed women, those with bad vaginal hygiene showed high incidence of infection 10.5 % and 6.3 %, respectively. It was noted a significant decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration, however, there was a significantly increased in white blood cells among infected subjects. Furthermore, the levels of both interleukin-2 and interleukin-8 were significantly higher among infected individuals compared to healthy ones.

Conclusions

Effective strategies for disease awareness are needed and should include health promotion, education, and prevention.