Epidemiological aspects of human trichomoniasis.

Trichomonads belong to the phyllum protozoa (unicellular or acellular animals-the latter term being preferred for the more specialized protozoa); they are flagellated (class: mastigophora), animallike without chlorophyll (order: zoomastigina), and of the sub-order polymastigina-which comprises such protozoa which are mono-, di-, or multinucleate, with three to eight flagella per nucleus and without psuedopodia. The trichomonadidae family are mono-nucleate with an axial organelle and an undulating membrane. The genus Trichomonas comprises those with three to four anterior flagella and another posteriorly which forms the undulating membrane. Trichomonads are very widespread throughout nature. There is almost no limit to their known natural hosts, which include insects like termites and crickets: fish (e.g. the mullet); reptiles, as the snail; the leech; many varieties of snakes; lizards; frogs; toads, newts, and salamanders; crocodile, tortoise, and. terrapin; many different birds, including the night-jar, woodchuck, sandpiper, cuckoo, crow, hawk, eagle, owl, blue jay, parrot, parrakeet, canary, swan, pea-fowl, duck, goose, moorhen, pigeon, grouse, chicken, guinea-fowl, quail, pheasant, turkey, peacock, and pelican; and a variety of mammals including the mouse, rat, guinea-pig, hamster, opossum, rabbit, fox, mongoose, jackal, deer, tapir, kangaroo, ant-eater, pig, goat, sheep, cow, ox, ass, horse, cat, dog, monkeys, apes, and man (Trussell, 1947; Hall, 1953).