Neonatal pneumonia caused by Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

The authors present two cases of newborn babies infected byTrichomonas vaginalis(hereafter referred to asT. vaginalis) and suffering from severe congenital breathing difficulties and needing artificial respiration. Microscopic examination of the tracheal discharge revealed characteristically moving, flagellated, pear-shaped unicellular organisms. Cultures on CPLM medium proved the presence ofT. vaginalis. During pregnancy the mothers' clinical status was negative and both of them mentioned leukorrhoea of changing intensity. They were regularly involved in antenatal care. The infection caused byT. vaginaliscould be detected in the two mothers later by culture procedures.