The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

4019.0: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - Board 10

Abstract #74834

Trich or treat: Drug resistant trichomononiasis among adolescents

Ayanna Bradshaw-Sydnor, CDC/NCID/DPD/IB, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS F15, Bldg 22B, Atlanta, GA 30324, 770-488-4812, apf1@cdc.gov

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis a common sexually transmitted protozoan parasite has been implicated in pre-term labor and increased acquisition of HIV. The only approved treatment in the US is metronidazole. Although resistence of T. vaginalis to metronidazole has been described in selected populations, the prevalence in a general population is unknown. The goal of this study is to estimate the prevalence of T. vaginalis and of metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis (MRTV) in a population of adolescent females. Methods: Sexually active adolescent females (12-19 years) attending a primary care clinic in Atlanta are enrolled and interviewed every 6 months. Wet mount and Diamond’s modified media are used for diagnosis of T. vaginalis, and resistance was determined using minimal lethal concentration (MLC) at 48 hours. MRTV was defined as an isolate with aerobic metronidazole MLC > 50 ug/ml. To determine the percent of MRTV with a 95% confidence interval ± 3%, 100 isolates will be tested. Results: From June 2001 to July 2003, specimens were collected during 697 patient clinic visits, representing 380 females; 171 had two visits, and 148 had three or more (up to 7). Ninety-six percent of the female participants are African American. The median age at first sex and at the first visit was 14.1 and 16.3, respectively. Completed culture results for 671 specimens show 69 positives; the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection at the first visit was 13.4% (51/380) by culture and 11.3% (43/380) by wet mount. To date 42 isolates have been tested for MRTV; 2 (4.8%) were resistant and 3 (7.1%) were borderline resistant (MLC = 50ug/ml). Conclusions: The prevalence of T. vaginalis infections in this population is high. Culture detected more infections than wet mount. Almost 12% of the isolates tested to date were MRTV or borderline. Results from the completed study will be used to describe the emergence of MRTV and the need for licensure of alternative therapies.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The Black Young Professionals Public Health Network: New Student Researchers Awards Session

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA