Trichomonad

Trichomonads
File:Trichomonas Giemsa DPDx.JPG
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
(unranked):	Excavata
Phylum:	Metamonada
Class:	Parabasalia
Order:	Trichomonadida Brugerolle & Lee 2000
families
Calonymphidae Cochlosomatidae Devescovinidae Monocercomonadidae Trichomonadidae

The trichomonads are an order, Trichomonadida, of anaerobic protists, included with the parabasalids. Most are either parasites or other endosymbionts of animals. They typically have four to six flagella at the cell's apical pole, one of which is recurrent - that is, it runs along a surface wave, giving the aspect of an undulating membrane. Like other parabasalids, they typically have an axostyle, a pelta, a costa, and parabasal bodies. In Histomonas only one flagellum and a reduced axostyle are found, and in Dientamoeba, both are absent.

Trichomonads reproduce by a special form of longitudinal fission, leading to large numbers of trophozoites in a relatively short time. Cysts never form, so transmission from one host to another is always based on direct contact between the sites they occupy.

Some organisms in this order include:

• Trichomonas vaginalis, an organism living inside the vagina of humans
• Dientamoeba fragilis, parasitic ameboid in humans
• Histomonas meleagridis, parasite that causes blackhead disease in poultry
• Mixotricha paradoxa, a symbiotic organism inside termites, host of endosymbionts

Treatment

The preferred treatment for trichomonads is Metronidazole.

External links

• General info