Demonstration of a Minimum Oxidation-reduction Potential Requirement for Trichomonas Vaginalis.

Although Trichomonas vaginalis can use oxygen, it behaves as an anaerobic microorganism which characteristically requires a reduced oxidation-reduction potential for growth (Kupferberg et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 56:1006, 1953). We found that, in contrast to the usual behavior of anaerobic organisms which tolerate very low potentials (Lamanna and Mallette, Basic Bacteriology, 2nd ed., p. 481, The Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1959), the oxidation-reduction requirement of T. vaginalis also has a lower limit, below which growth is inhibited. It is of interest