Physiological Studies on Trichomonas Vaginalis

Although many investigations into Trichomonas vaginalis Donne 1875 and vaginal trichomoniasis have been made since the organism was recognized again as a pathological entity by Hohne in 1916, problems on its pathogenicity, epidemiology and therapeutics are still left in confusion. One of the main reasons of this confusion appears that the bacteria free cultivation of this organism has not been attained until about 10 years ago. Though the cultiva tion of the trichomonad accompanying with other micro-organisms, which was devised by Boeck and Drobohlav in 1925, has made much progress in our knowledge of the trichomonad, it had still an essential disadvantage in some field of studies. For instance, in physiological field, the growth requirements of this organism in vitro could not be distinguished from that of the bacteria simultaneously growing in the medium. Furthermore, the evaluation of patho genicity of this organism, even in the cases of experimental inoculation into human vagina, was obscured by the bacteria which were induced together with the cultured trichomonad. Therefore, the development of bacteria free cultiva tion of this organism has been desired for long time, by use of which further advances in the studies are expected. In 1940, Trussell and Plass obtained bacteria free cultivation by chance and thereafter Adler and Johnson, Trussell and John (1945) have reported the method of the cultivation, eliminating the bacteria with penicillin. By virtue of this cultivation much progress has been made in the physiological studies on the trichomonad in these several years. The present author (1952, 1955) previously reported on the cultivation of bacteria free T. vaginalis and emphasized that the anaerobic condition of medium is essential for the growth of the organism. In the present paper nutritional requirements, carbohydrates metabolism and respiration of this organism are described. It is a pleasure to express here appreciation to Prof. H. Matsubayashi of the Department of Parasitology for his advice and aid throughout this study.