The association between T. vaginalis and cervical neoplasia has been reported in many studies since the early 1950s. It has been suggested that this organism is responsible for the induction of changes in the human cervical mucosa, resulting in dysplasia or carcinoma.1
| Study Type | T. vaginalis Prevalence | # of Studies | Odds Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case-Control | > 15% | 7 | 6 studies statistically significant |
| 10-15% | 10 | 9 studies (+) and significant | |
| < 10% | 5 | 4 studies (+) 2 studies significant | |
| Cohort | 2.3% | 2 | 1.93 (CI: 1.22 - 2.65) |
| Table 1 | |||
A prospective, longitudinal cohort study followed over 19,000 women in Finland for up to 10 years to determine if cytologically diagnosed infections (T. vaginalis, herpes, or human papillomavirus) preceded development of cervical neoplasia. T. vaginalis was shown to be associated with a high relative risk (Odds Ratio = 6.4) of subsequent cervical neoplasia. This was similar to risks found with either human papillomavirus (OR = 5.5) or herpes infection (OR = 12) and development of subsequent cervical neoplasia.2
Zhang (1994) conducted a combined analysis of 2 cohort and 22 case-control studies examining the association between T. vaginalis infection and cervical neoplasia. The results from the analysis indicated that T. vaginalis is associated with increased risk of cervical neoplasia.3 Table 1 summarizes the 24 studies used in Zhang's data analysis.
- Bechtold E , Reicher NB. The relationship of Trichomonas infestations to false diagnoses of squamous carcinoma of the cervix. Cancer. 1952 May;5(3):442-57.
- Viikki M, Pukkala E, Nieminen P, Hakama M. Gynaecological infections as risk determinants of subsequent cervical neoplasia. Acta Oncol. 2000;39(1):71-5.
- Zhang ZF, Begg CB. Is Trichomonas vaginalis a cause of cervical neoplasia? Results from a combined analysis of 24 studies. Int J Epidemiol. 1994 Aug;23(4):682-90.
