Trichomonas vaginalis antimicrobial drug resistance in 6 US cities, STD Surveillance Network, 2009-2010

Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;18(6):939-43. doi: 10.3201/eid1806.111590.

Abstract

Nitroimidazoles (metronidazole and tinidazole) are the only recommended drugs for treating Trichomonas vaginalis infection, and previous samples that assessed resistance of such isolates have been limited in geographic scope. We assessed the prevalence of in vitro aerobic metronidazole and tinidazole resistance among T. vaginalis isolates from multiple geographic sites in the United States. Swab specimens were obtained from women who underwent routine pelvic examinations at sexually transmitted disease clinics in 6 US cities. Cultured T. vaginalis isolates were tested for nitroimidazole resistance (aerobic minimum lethal concentration [MLC] >50 µg/mL). Of 538 T. vaginalis isolates, 23 (4.3%) exhibited low-level in vitro metronidazole resistance (minimum lethal concentrations 50-100 µg/mL). No isolates exhibited moderate- to high-level metronidazole resistance or tinidazole resistance. Results highlight the possibility that reliance on a single class of antimicrobial drugs for treating T. vaginalis infections may heighten vulnerability to emergence of resistance. Thus, novel treatment options are needed.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metronidazole / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Sentinel Surveillance
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / epidemiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / epidemiology
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / microbiology*
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / drug effects*
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / isolation & purification
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Metronidazole