Trichomonas tenax
Trophozoites
The typical Trichomonas tenax trophozoite is described as being oval to pear shaped and measuring 5 to 14 ?m long, with an average length of 6 to 9 ?m. The single ovoid vesicular nucleus is filled with several chromatin granules and is usually located in the center anterior portion of the organism. The T. tenax trophozoite is equipped with five flagella, all of which originate at the anterior end. Four of the flagella extend anteriorly and one extends posteriorly. An undulating membrane that extends two thirds of the body length and its accompanying costa typically lie next to the posterior flagellum. A thick axostyl runs along the entire body length, curving around the nucleus, and extends posteriorly beyond the body of the organism .a small anterior cytosome is located next to the axostyle opposite the undulating membrane.
Cyst
There is a known cyst stage of T. tenax.
Life cycle
Trichomonas tenax trophozoites survive in the body as mouth scavengers that feed primarily on local microorganisms. Located in the tartar between the teeth, tonsillar crypts pyorrheal pockets, and gingival margin around the gums,T. tenax trophozoites multiply by lonitudinal binary fission. These trophozoites are unable to survive the digestive process.
Clinical symptoms
The typical Trichomonas tenax infection does not produce any notable symptoms. On a rare occasion, T. tenax has been known to invade the respiratory tract, but this appears to have mainly occurred in patients with underlying thoracic or lung abscesses of pleural exudates.
Laboratory diagnosis
The specimen of choice for diagnosing Trichomonas tenax trophozoite is mouth scrapings. Microscopic examination of tonsillar crypts and pyorrheal pockets of patients suffering from T. tenax infections often yields the typical trophozoites. Tartar between the teeth and the gingival margin of the gums are the primary areas of the mouth that may also potentially harbor this organism. T. tenax may also be cultured onto appropriate media .