Trichomoniasis has been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, increased HIV transmission, infertility as well as co-infections with other STIs. In 2002, an association was found with Trichomonas vaginalis and PID in HIV positive women. Therefore, the question arose whether T. vaginalis is able to invade the upper genital tract of HIV infected women. A prerequisite for invasion of the upper genital tract is the capability of the organism to adhere to the cells of the organs involved. This study therefore investigated the interaction between T. vaginalis and vaginal, cervical and endometrial cells. In comparing adhesion and cytotoxicity of T. vaginalis to cells of the upper and lower genital tract at different pH, immortalized vaginal (VK2), cervical (ME 180) and endometrial (KLE) cells were exposed to a standardized inoculum of trichomonads at pH 4.5 to 7.0. Adhesion was measured microscopically after acridine orange staining and cytotoxicity was established by measuring LDH release using a commercial kit. Adhesion of the ME-180 and VK2 cell lines was found to be pH dependent. However, the KLE cell line was not. As the pH increased, adherence to the vaginal and cervical cells decreased. Adhesion to endometrial cells was minimal at neutral pH but marked adhesion was found at lower pH. For the vaginal cell line, cytotoxicity was minimal at pH 4.5 but substantial (30 to 60%) at higher pH. In contrast, cytotoxicity on cervical and endometrial cells was highest at lower pH. The pronounced toxicity of vaginal epithelial cells at pH 5 and pH 5.5 is in keeping with the pH range found in patients with vaginitis. The observations on the cervical epithelium suggest toxic effect on the ecto-cervical epithelium immediate after acquisition of the infection. Adhesion of trichomonads to the endometrial cell line suggests that T. vaginalis is capable of colonization of the upper genital tract. At pH values applicable to the in vivo situation, toxicity was very low. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Ce projet vise à proposer des nouveaux candidats médicaments pour lutter contre les infections parasitaires cutanéo-muqueuses qui représentent un problème de santé majeur. C’est notamment le cas de la Trichomonose urogénitale et la leishmaniose cutanée.Malheureusement, l’administration systémique de première intention par le métronidazole (MTZ) pour traiter la trichomonose urogéntitale occasionne des problèmes de résistances et des effets secondaires indésirables. Ainsi, nous avons développé de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques en ciblant à la fois les mécanismes pharmacologiques et physiques de l’infection par Trichomonas vaginalis. Après avoir réussi à augmenter la solubilité apparente du MTZ dans l’eau en utilisant une beta-cyclodextrine méthylée, nous l’avons formulé dans un hydrogel thermosensible et mucoadhésif composé de pluronic® F127 et d’un biopolymère cationique et mucoadhésif, le chitosane. Cette formulation est spécifiquement adaptée à une application topique tout en offrant un contrôle de la libération du MTZ et une réduction de son passage systémique à travers la muqueuse vaginale. La viscosité élevée de l’hydrogel à température corporelle nous a conduit à étudier son effet sur la mobilité du protozoaire Trichomonas vaginalis. Il s’agit d’une stratégie physique d’immobilisation du parasite en parallèle à la chimiothérapie par le MTZ. Le suivi des trajectoires des parasites par vidéo-microscopie a montré la capacité de l’hydrogel seul ou en association avec le chitosane à immobiliser complètement T. vaginalis et à inhiber son attachement à la muqueuse. Ces évaluations ont été réalisées chez la souris. Cependant, le chitosane seul n’a pas permis d’immobilier les parasites et n’a pas montré une activité anti-T. vaginalis propre. Dans ce contexte, nous nous sommes inspirés des travaux antérieurs menés par notre équipe sur le développement de formulations à base de chitosane, et plus particulièrement des nanoparticules (NPs) composées de poly(isobutylcyanoacrylates) recouvertes de chitosane. Ces NPs ont une activité trichomonacide propre, même sans rajouter des substances actives, alors que des NPs sans chitosane étaient inactives. Nous avons étudié le mécanisme d’action et nous avons montré une meilleure internalisation des NPs lorsqu’elles étaient recouvertes de chitosane. Ces NPs ont provoqué des altérations morphologiques drastiques de la membrane du parasite. Cette activité pourrait être due en partie à l’interaction électrostatique entre la surface de T. vaginalis chargée négativement et les NPs recouvertes de chitosane cationique.Dans le but d’élargir le champ des applications de ces NPs à d’autres parasites, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’évaluation de leur effet anti-leishmanien vis-à-vis de Leishmania major. En effet, le chitosane connu pour ces propriétés cicatrisantes nous a paru particulièrement adapté pour cette pathologie. Nous avons ainsi montré in vitro et in vivo que les NPs recouvertes de chitosane avaient une activité anti-L. major propre, sans ajouter de substances actives. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons décidé de nous orienter vers des particules de formes allongées et d’évaluer leur activité anti-leishmanienne. Ces particules appelées « plaquettes » sont constituées d’assemblages de chitosane hydrophobisé avec l’acide oléique et l’alpha-cyclodextrine dans l’eau. Cette stratégie nous a paru intéressante pour améliorer l’interaction des plaquettes avec la membrane de L. major, vue que ces parasites sont également de morphologie non-sphérique. Les résultats histologiques et immunohistochimiques des lésions cutanées ont montré une diminution significative du granulome inflammatoire et une réduction de la charge parasitaire par rapport à l'amphotéricine B seule utilisée comme référence.En conclusion, au cours de cette thèse, plusieurs formulations ont été développées et ont montré des efficacités biologiques en agissant sur des mécanismes pharmacologiques et/ou physiques des parasites. / This project aims at developing new therapeutic strategies against parasitic muco-cutaneous infections such as urogenital trichomonosis and cutaneous leishmaniasis which still represents a major health problem worldwide.Unfortunately, metronidazole (MTZ) is a first-line systemic treatment for urogenital trichomoniasis that causes resistance and side effects. We have thus developed new strategies by acting on both the pharmacological and the physical mechanisms of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. After a successfull increase of the apparent solubility of MTZ in water using a methylated -cyclodextrin, we formulated it in a thermosensitive and mucoadhesive hydrogel composed of pluronic® F127 and a cationic and mucoadhesive biopolymer, chitosan. This formulation is specifically adapted for topical application providing a control of MTZ release and reduction of its systemic passage through the vaginal mucosa.Then, the ability of the high viscosity hydrogel to immobilize T. vaginalis was investigated by video-microscopy. Monitoring the trajectories of each parasite by multiple particle tracking showed the ability of the hydrogel alone or in combination with chitosan to completely immobilize T. vaginalis and to inhibit parasite attachment to the mucosa. These evaluations were performed on mice experimental model. However, chitosan alone did not allow parasite immobilization and did not show any anti-T. vaginalis activity. In this context, we were inspired by previous works conducted by our team on the development of formulations based on chitosan, and more particularly nanoparticles (NPs) composed of poly(isobutylcyanoacrylates) coated with chitosan. These NPs have their own trichomonacidal activity, even without adding active substances, while NPs without chitosan were inactive. Investigated of the mechanism of the activity showed better internalization of NPs when coated with chitosan. These NPs caused drastic morphological alterations on the parasite membrane. This activity could be due to the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged T. vaginalis surface and cationic chitosan coated NPs.In order to broaden the applications of these NPs to other parasites, we were interested in evaluating the anti-L. major activity of NPs coated or not with chitosan. Indeed, chitosan known for its healing properties could be particularly adapted for this pathology. We thus showed in vitro and in vivo that NPs coated with chitosan had intrinsic anti-L. major activity without adding any drug. In a second step, we decided to design chitosan elongated particles and to evaluate their anti-leishmanial activity. These particles called "platelets" are composed of chitosan hydrophobically-modified with oleic acid and cyclodextrin in water. This strategy could be interesting to improve the interaction of platelets with the L. major membrane, as these parasites had also non-spherical morphology. The histological and immunohistochemical results of skin lesions showed a significant decrease in inflammatory granuloma and a reduction in parasitic load compared with amphotericin B alone, used as a reference.In conclusion, during this thesis, several formulations were developed and showed biological activities by acting on pharmacological and/or physical mechanisms of the parasites.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal disease that affects cattle. The causative agent of this disease is Tritrichomonas foetus, a flagellated protozoan. There is no current FDA approved treatment for this disease. The purpose of this study was to develop new compound screening assays that will make the discovery of new compounds faster and more accurate. The CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay, a high throughput screening (HTS) assay from Promega, was found to be as affective at measuring cytotoxicity as traditional assaying techniques. For the first time. preen florescent protein. a reporter gene used in cell viability assavs was successfully transformed into T. foetus for use in HTS systems. This study also identified new compounds that can potentially be used as new treatments for this disease.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a human urogenital parasite and the causal agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral, sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Much of the pathogenic properties of T. Vaginalis stem from cysteine proteases. Here, we present the results of several studies on one variant, TvCP2, including purification and characterization of its active form, gene regulation in response to iron and oxygen, and localization and trafficking. Homologous to human Cathepsin L, TvCP2 was hypothesized to function as a protease, presumably localize to lysosomes, and play a role in T. vaginalis pathogenesis that is distinct from TvCP4. Levels of bacterially-expressed TvCP2 decreased faster in activation assays of lower pH. In Pichia pastoris, the amounts and form of TvCP2 expressed were variable, and protease activity was influenced by reducing agent and pH. Post-translational modifications may be in effect, or TvCP2 may be autocatalytic, however, actual autocatalytic processing remains to be determined. Consistent with previous reports, and contrary to TvCP4 regulation, TvCP2 mRNA levels were increased in T. vaginalis grown in media with reduced iron supplementation. Expression of processed TvCP2 protein increased, demonstrating post-transcriptional regulation and the potential for iron to influence processing of and/or proper sorting of TvCP2. Also, unlike TvCP4 expresion, which is unaffected by oxygen, both TvCP2 protein and mRNA were greatest under anaerobic conditions, suggestion transcriptional and translational regulation by oxygen, and that upon initial infection TvCP2 is not required immediately. Although overall immunofluorescent staining patterns were different between TvCP2 and TvCP4, hinting at distinct functions, both localized bto punctate vesicles, for which some colocalization was observed. Additionally, unlike TvCP4, TvCP2 did not colocalize with Vamp1/2 and did colocalize with legumain. These data suggest that TvCP2 is intracellular, targeted to lysosomes, and sorted independently from TvCP4. In conclusion, TvCP2 may play a unique role in the cell and is important for the life cycle and pathogenesis of T. vaginalis.

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-07T13:04:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jonas de Melo Borges.pdf: 1057256 bytes, checksum: 5a36d4a5894648ecc348d8146d19bca1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-07T13:04:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jonas de Melo Borges.pdf: 1057256 bytes, checksum: 5a36d4a5894648ecc348d8146d19bca1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-20 / The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of infection with Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis and Tritrichomonas foetus in buffaloes in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil and identify possible risk factors associated with infection. Biological samples were collected (cervico vaginal mucus and shaved prepucial) of 113 animals, coming from 8 properties in different regions of the state. The biological material collected was transferred into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and inoculated in the specific transport, Lander for diagnosis of C. fetus subsp. venerealis and Diamond for T. fetus subsequently. For the diagnosis of infection by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venrealis and Tritrichomonas foetus the samples were submitted to Polymerase Chain Reaction ( PCR) grown in Columbia agar plus antibiotics and Diamond, respectively. There was an occurrence of 1.8% (2/113 ; I.C. 0.2 to 6.2 % ) of positive animals in the microbiological examination with confirmation by PCR, for C. fetus subsp. venerealis. It was observed that 100% of positive samples were from two (2) males from the same herd. No animals were positive for T. foetus. It was not possible to identify risk factors associated with infection. This is the first report of infection with C. fetus subsp. venerealis in buffaloes in Brazil. Despite the low occurrence it is recommended that control measures are adopted, in order to prevent the spread of the agent to other herds. / Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar a ocorrência da infecção por Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis e Tritrichomonas foetus em búfalos no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil e identificar os possíveis fatores de risco associados às infecções. Foram coletadas amostras biológicas (muco cérvico-vaginal e raspado prepucial) de 113 animais, procedentes de 8 propriedades, de diferentes regiões do Estado. O material biológico coletado foi transferido para solução salina tamponada (PBS) e posteriormente inoculado nos meios de transporte específicos, Lander para diagnóstico de C. fetus subsp. venerealis e Diamond para T. foetus. Para o diagnóstico das infecções por Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis e Tritrichomonas foetus as amostras foram cultivadas em meio ágar columbia acrescido de antibiótico e Diamond, respectivamente. Posteriormente as amostras de PBS foram submetidas à Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). Para pesquisa de C. fetus subsp. venerealis, observou-se uma ocorrência de 1,8% (2/113; I.C. 0,2 – 6,2%) de animais positivos no exame microbiológico com confirmação pela PCR. Em relação à procedência, observou-se que 100% das amostras positivas pertenciam a dois machos do mesmo rebanho. Na pesquisa de T. foetus nenhum animal foi positivo. Não foi possível identificar os fatores de risco associados às infecções. Este é o primeiro registro da infecção por C. fetus subsp. venerealis em búfalos no Brasil. Apesar da baixa ocorrência recomenda-se que medidas de controle sejam adotadas, com o intuito de evitar a disseminação do agente para outros rebanhos.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / TricomonÃase à a doenÃa sexualmente transmissÃvel nÃo-viral mais comum no mundo. O tratamento atual dessa patologia compreende o uso de vÃrios fÃrmacos, inclusive fitoterÃpicos formulados com Mentha crispa tambÃm tÃm sido empregados como antiprotozoÃrios. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a eficÃcia terapÃutica e a seguranÃa do fitoterÃpico contendo Mentha crispa (GiamebilÂ) em pacientes com tricomonÃase vaginal. O estudo realizado foi um ensaio clÃnico do tipo randomizado, paralelo e aberto com 60 voluntÃrias do sexo feminino, sendo 35 procedentes de Fortaleza/Cearà e 25 da cidade de Sinop/Mato Grosso, que apresentaram exame parasitolÃgico positivo da secreÃÃo vaginal para tricomonÃase. As pacientes foram distribuÃdas aleatoriamente em dois grupos de tratamento, o grupo Mentha crispa e o grupo Secnidazol, ambos compostos de 30 voluntÃrias, os quais foram administrados por via oral, respectivamente, 2 comprimidos de 12 mg de Giamebil e 2 comprimidos de 1000 mg de SecnidalÂ, em dose Ãnica. O ensaio clÃnico foi constituÃdo de trÃs etapas: prÃ-tratamento, tratamento e pÃs-tratamento. Ao nÃvel de significÃncia de 5%, nÃo se constatou diferenÃa estatÃstica entre os grupos (P=0,6120), pois a proporÃÃo de voluntÃrias com ausÃncia de T.vaginalis no grupo Secnidazol foi de 96,67% e a verificada no grupo Mentha crispa foi de 90,00%. Os desfechos secundÃrios para a avaliaÃÃo da eficÃcia da Mentha crispa no tratamento da tricomonÃase foram a melhora das queixas clÃnicas: corrimento vaginal, odor desagradÃvel, ardor genital, disÃria, dispareunia, prurido e dor pÃlvica. NÃo foi demonstrada diferenÃa estatisticamente significante (P=0,4583) entre os tratamentos em relaÃÃo à proporÃÃo de pacientes que relataram ausÃncia dessas queixas. Os medicamentos foram considerados bem tolerados, pois nenhuma voluntÃria necessitou intervenÃÃo farmacolÃgica adicional no intuito de controlar ou debelar tal desconforto. Portanto, os eventos adversos foram avaliados como sendo de intensidade leve, manifestando-se uma Ãnica vez e com remissÃo espontÃnea. Entretanto, os efeitos adversos foram significativamente maiores (P = 0,0006) no grupo Secnidazol (66,67%) do que os verificados no grupo Mentha crispa (20,00%). Os eventos adversos relatados pelas voluntÃrias do grupo Secnidazol foram: nÃusea (16,67%), odor desagradÃvel na urina (3,33%) e gosto metÃlico, sendo que esse citado por 50% das pacientes evidenciou diferenÃa estatisticamente significante entre os grupos de tratamento (P <0,001). Os eventos referidos pelas voluntÃrias do grupo Mentha crispa foram: epigastralgia, nÃusea, vÃmito e cefalÃia referidos por 3,33%, enquanto gosto desagradÃvel foi mencionado por 6,67%. Nenhum sinal de toxicidade clÃnica foi observado no perÃodo de tratamento. O presente ensaio clÃnico concluiu que o fitoterÃpico contendo Mentha crispa apresentou eficÃcia terapÃutica e seguranÃa quando empregado por via oral na dose Ãnica de 24mg, apresentando-se como uma alternativa terapÃutica segura, eficaz, acessÃvel e de qualidade para o tratatamento de pacientes com tricomonÃase. / Trichomoniasis is a non-viral sexually transmitted disease most common in the world. The current treatment of this disease includes the use of several drugs, including herbal remedies formulated with Mentha crispa have also been used as protozoan The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine containing Mentha crispa in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis. The study was a randomized clinical trial, parallel and opened. It included 60 female volunteers, 35 from Fortaleza - Ceara and 25 from Sinop - Mato Grosso, who had stool examination of vaginal discharge positive for trichomoniasis. Patients were randomly distributed in two treatment groups, the Mentha crispa group and the Secnidazole group. Both groups were composed of 30 volunteers, in which, respectively, 2 tablets of 12 mg of herbal Giamebil and 2 tablets 1000mg Secnidal  were orally administered in single dose. The clinical trial consisted of three steps: pretreatment, treatment and post-treatment. To significance level of 5%, no difference was found between the groups (P = 0.6120), because the proportion of volunteers with no T.vaginalis in the Secnidazole group was 96.67% and the proportion found in the Mentha crispa group was 90.00%. Secondary endpoints for the evaluation of the effectiveness of Mentha crispa in the treatment of trichomoniasis were the improvement of clinical complaints: vaginal discharge, unpleasant odor, genital burning, dysuria, dyspareunia, pelvic pain and itching. It has not been demonstrated statistically significant difference (P = 0 , 4583) between the treatments in the proportion of patients who reported no such complaints. The drugs were considered well tolerated, as no voluntary needed additional pharmacological intervention in order to control or eradicate such discomfort. Therefore, adverse events were assessed as being mild, manifesting itself only once and having spontaneous remission. However, adverse effects were significantly higher (P = 0.0006) in the Secnidazole group (66.67%) than those found in the Mentha crispa group (20.00%). Adverse events reported by volunteers Secnidazole group were nausea (16.67%), the unpleasant odor in the urine (3.33%) and metallic taste, that was cited by 50% of patients and it showed a statistically significant difference between the treatment groups (P <0.001). The referred events by the volunteers of the Mentha crispa group were: epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and headache reported by 3.33%, while unpleasant taste was mentioned by 6.67%. No signs of clinical toxicity was observed during treatment. This trial concluded that the herbal medicine containing Mentha crispa showed efficacy and safety when used orally at a dose of 24mg, presenting itself as an alternative therapy safe, effective, accessible and with quality for treatment in patients with trichomoniasis.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal infection that reduces the fecundity of cattle. It is caused by Trichomonas foetus, a flagellated protozoan which inhabits the genital tract, causing inflammation and partial sterility. Both sexes are susceptible to infection. In females it is usually of short duration and frequently terminates sponaneously following abortion. In males the disease has both acute and chronic stages. During the acute stage the prepucial membranes become inflamed and a muco-purulent discharge develps in which trichomonads are abundant. In the following chronic stage symptoms disappear, but the animal remains a carrier and is a dangerous source of infection to healthy cows. Diagnosis is made by examining the material from infect organs for the specific parasite. The cell body of Trichomonas foetus is fusiform or napiform. It varies from 9 to 20 microns in length, and from 3 to 7 microns in width. Its salient features are an undulating membrane and 4 flagella arising from the blepharoplast, 3 of which are anterior and free, the fourth proceeds caudad bordering the undulating membrane for its entire length and projecting unattached behind. By means of the flagella and undulating membrane the organism move jerkily through an irregular course, as is characteristic of the genus Trichomonas. Dovine trichomoniasis has a wide geographic distribution. In Europe it has been reported from Italy, France, Germany, Holland, and England. Futamura has reported it from Japan. In the United States the infection is known to be present in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, Michigan, California, and Utah. Survey work done in Utah under the direction of the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station includes examination of herds in Cache, Utah, Davis, Sanpete, and Sevier Counties. Infections were found present in all counties where examinations were made except Sevier. Because of unrestricted commerce of cattle among the important live-stock centers, it is supposed that trichomoniasis is widely spread and probably exists in some cattle in the majority of the counties of the state.

Submitted by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2016-09-12T18:15:05Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kélvia Cristina de Camargo - 2014.pdf: 1810460 bytes, checksum: 3f5dbf06427d9e09b4ebb202a6433de2 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2016-09-12T18:15:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kélvia Cristina de Camargo - 2014.pdf: 1810460 bytes, checksum: 3f5dbf06427d9e09b4ebb202a6433de2 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-12T18:15:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kélvia Cristina de Camargo - 2014.pdf: 1810460 bytes, checksum: 3f5dbf06427d9e09b4ebb202a6433de2 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-18 / INTRODUCTION. The balance of the vaginal microbiota is related to a woman's hormonal status, microbial metabolism, sexual stimulation and immune response. The imbalance of vaginal flora, induces elevation of pH, favoring infections and abnormal vaginal secretion. OBJECTIVES. Estimating the prevalence of the bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and trichomoniasis in cervical cytology smears, stained by the method of Papanicolaou; studying the association between sociodemographic and behavioral variables and microbiological findings; assessing the degree of agreement between the clinical characteristics of vaginal secretion and microbiological findings. METHODS. Crosssectional study performed in 302 women aged 20 to 87, referred to the Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of the Integrated Healthcare Center Chácara do Governador, in Goiânia, Goiás, from June 2012 to May 2013. All were patients interviewed and underwent a gynecology test. Cervical smear was also collected for cytology. The samples were analyzed at the Rômulo Rocha Clinical Analysis Center of the School of Pharmacy of the Federal University of Goiás - UFG. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated to the microbiological findings from the cytology smear. The odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were calculated and the confidence interval was set at 95% (CI 95%). The kappa index was used to evaluate the degree of agreement between the characteristics of the vaginal secretion and microbiological findings. RESULTS. The prevalence of BV, VVC and trichomoniasis was 25.5%, 9.3% and 2.0%, respectively. The report of a previous STI (OR=2.27; CI 95%=1.15-4.49; p=0.018) and the use of vaginal douching were associated to the diagnosis of BV (OR=4.71; CI 95%: 2.65-8.38; p=<0.001). None of the variables studied presented a significant association with the microbiological findings of VVC and trichomoniasis. The degree of agreement between the clinical evaluation of vaginal secretion and the microbiological diagnosis of BV, candidiasis and trichomoniasis, as analyzed by the kappa index was 0.47, 0.23 and 0.28, respectively. CONCLUSION. The most prevalent microbiological diagnosis was BV. The association found between the use of vaginal douching and BV indicated that it may be a triggering factor. The clinical evaluation of vaginal secretion presented a moderate to weak degree of agreement with the microbiological diagnosis, indicating the need for complementary investigation. / INTRODUÇÃO. O equilíbrio da microbiota vaginal está relacionado ao estado hormonal, metabolismo microbiano, estimulação sexual e resposta imune da mulher. O desequilíbrio da flora vaginal, induz a elevação do pH, favorecendo infecções e secreção vaginal anormal. OBJETIVOS. Estimar a prevalência da vaginose bacteriana (VB), candidíase vulvovaginal (CVV) e tricomoníase em esfregaços citológicos do colo uterino, corados pelo método de Papanicolaou; avaliar a associação entre variáveis sociodemográficas e comportamentais e os achados microbiológicos; Avaliar o grau de concordância entre as características clínicas da secreção vaginal e os achados microbiológicos. MÉTODOS. Estudo de corte transversal em 302 mulheres de 20 a 87 anos referenciadas à consulta no Ambulatório de Ginecologia do Centro de Atendimento Integral à Saúde da Chácara do Governador, em Goiânia, Goiás. Todas foram submetidas à entrevista, exame ginecológico e coleta de esfregaço para estudo citológico, no período de junho de 2012 a maio de 2013. As amostras foram analisadas no Centro de Análises Clínicas Rômulo Rocha da Faculdade de Farmácia/UFG. Análise de regressão logística foi realizada para identificar fatores sociodemográficos e comportamentais associados aos achados microbiológicos no esfregaço citológico. Foi calculada a razão de odds (OR) e a OR ajustada com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). O grau de concordância entre as características da secreção vaginal e os achados microbiológicos foi avaliado pelo índice kappa. RESULTADOS. A prevalência da VB, CVV e tricomoníase foi de 25,5%, 9,3% e 2,0%, respectivamente. O relato IST prévia (OR=2,27; IC95%=1,15-4,49; p=0,018) e o uso de ducha vaginal associou-se ao diagnóstico de VB (OR=4,71; IC95%: 2,65- 8,38; p=<0,001). Nenhuma variável estudada apresentou associação significativa com os achados microbiológicos de CVV e tricomoníase. O grau de concordância entre a avaliação clínica da secreção vaginal e o diagnóstico microbiológico de VB, candidíase e tricomoníase, avaliados pelo índice kappa foi de 0,47, 0,23 e 0,28, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO. O diagnóstico microbiológico de maior prevalência foi a VB. A associação entre o uso de ducha vaginal e VB aponta para seu possível fator desencadeante. A avaliação clínica da secreção vaginal apresentou grau de concordância moderado a fraco com o diagnóstico microbiológico, o que indica a necessidade de avaliação complementar.

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