Call to Arms for STD Parasite Testing

A sexually transmitted parasite, which can cause inflammatory illnesses and premature birth, is finding a seemingly unlikely host in women over 40 years old.

A Johns Hopkins infectious disease expert is calling on all sexually active women over 40 to test for the parasite trichomonas vaginalis. Females nearing middle age are twice as likely to carry the bug.

STD testing is crucial for women of all ages.

Senior study investigator, Charlotte Gaydos, M.S., Dr.P.H., from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, observes that when people think about sexually-transmitted diseases, young people come to mind. However, her study indicates that trichomonas is found more often in those older than 40.

Because trichomonas infections are easily treatable with antibiotics, Gaydos recommends that older women get screened by their family practitioners or ob-gyns during routine check-ups.

If the parasite isn't treated, which happens often since it's typically an asymptomatic condition, it can lead to easy co-infection of HIV, inflammation of the vagina, urethra and cervix. Also, those infected with trichomonas may develop pelvic inflammatory disease.

If the infected woman is pregnant, the infection may cause premature labor or result in a baby born with substandard weight.

Gaydos reports what really is happening with trichomonas, particularly in older women, is a complete lack of testing, which causes the infection to persist and eventually leads to the development of other conditions.

Routine testing will allow public health officials to track the STD and develop better therapies to prevent infection.

This survey has Gaydos imploring officials to institute testing of women in prison so they can be diagnosed and treated.

This study included samples from 7,593 U.S. women in 28 different states between the ages of 18 and 89. Women who were 50 and older had the highest trichomonas infection rates (13 percent). Women in their 40s had the next highest rates (11 percent). Older women and African-American women seem particularly more likely to have the infection.

This study will be presented July 12 at the annual meeting of the International Society for STD Research, in Quebec City, Canada. Results are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.