Trichomonads in pleural effusion: case report, literature review and utility of PCR for species identification

Trichomonas tenax is a flagellated protozoan commonly found in the human oral cavity but of unusual occurrence in pulmonary infections. We describe a case of a 67-year-old patient with glioblastoma who presented with severe pleurisy in the post-operative period while she was receiving high-dose cort...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The New microbiologica 2012-01, Vol.35 (1), p.83-87
Main Authors: Leterrier, Marion, Morio, Florent, Renard, Beno T, Poirier, Anne-Sophie, Miegeville, Michel, Chambreuil, Guy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenal Cortex Hormones - adverse effects
Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use
Aged
DNA, Ribosomal Spacer - genetics
Female
Glioblastoma - complications
Glioblastoma - drug therapy
Glioblastoma - surgery
Humans
Molecular Sequence Data
Pleural Effusion - diagnosis
Pleural Effusion - parasitology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S - genetics
Trichomonas - genetics
Trichomonas - isolation & purification
Trichomonas Infections - diagnosis
Trichomonas Infections - etiology
Trichomonas tenax
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Summary:Trichomonas tenax is a flagellated protozoan commonly found in the human oral cavity but of unusual occurrence in pulmonary infections. We describe a case of a 67-year-old patient with glioblastoma who presented with severe pleurisy in the post-operative period while she was receiving high-dose corticotherapy. Several motile flagellated protozoa were identified in the pleural fluid. Trichomonas tenax was identified by molecular methods. Pulmonary infections with Trichomonads might be underestimated because of diagnostic difficulties. The utility of molecular biology for species identification is underlined and the pathogenicity of Trichomonad parasites in human lungs is discussed in light of previously reported cases.
ISSN:1121-7138