Systemic treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis infestation in women. A preliminary report

Laboratory studies with the systemic trichomonacide, metronidazole

Laboratory studies with the trichomonacidal agent, metronidazole, show that 66 strains of T. vaginalis were killed in three days by concentrations of 0.0625 mug./ml. to 1 mug./ml. Estimations of serum and urine levels in nine volunteers, the serum levels in 31 women, and the urine levels in 33 women show that metronidazole is rapidly absorbed and excreted in high concentration in the urine. Development of resistance to metronidazole by T. vaginalis has not been demonstrated either in vivo or in vitro. No toxic effect was demonstrated in the blood, liver, or kidney.

Trichomoniasis. Clinical trial of metronidazole (Flagyl)

Metronidazole was given in various dosage regimens to 97 patients having microscopically diagnosed trichomoniasis. At the first examination after treatment all 97, including 76 to whom metronidazole had been given orally only, were found by culture and wet smear to be free of trichomonads. Reexamination of the 65 patients followed up for periods ranging from two weeks to 14 months revealed reappearance of trichomonads in eight cases. Nineteen husbands were treated. No patient had a recurrence after treatment of the husband. No effect of metronidazole on pregnancy or on fetal development was seen. Side effects, noted in 19 cases (20 per cent), generally were mild and transient and in no case were severe enough to terminate therapy before cure was effected.