General
information
A flagellated unicellular protozoon with a size range of 10-30 um,
“Trich” is one of the most common pathogens. The parasite
usually appears as a grayish-blue, pear-shapped body with a single
ovoid or crescentic nucleus. Visualization of the nucleus is essential
to discriminate between the parasite, fragments of cytoplasm and
degeneratekaryolytic parabasal squamous cells which are common in
atrophic smears. Trich usually a sexually transmitted disease and
causes an initial acute vaginitis and cervicitis associated with
frothy discharge.
Trichomonas
vaginalis
Cytology
Small, gray spear-shaped organism
Small eccentric nucleus
Eosinophilic granules
Polys may cover squamous cells forming “BB” shots or
“cannonballs”
