Neonatal conjunctivitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a systematic review

NematiShahri, Fateme; Pouresmaeil, Omid; Rahmani Bilandi, Roghaieh; Mohammadzadeh, Alireza; Mardaneh, Jalal

doi:10.22038/rcm.2022.63696.1396

Neonatal conjunctivitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a systematic review

Document Type : Systematic review

Authors

Fateme NematiShahri ¹

Omid Pouresmaeil ²

Roghaieh Rahmani Bilandi ³

Alireza Mohammadzadeh ⁴

Jalal Mardaneh ⁴

¹ Central Laboratory Research, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.

² Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

³ Department of midwifery, Social Development and health promotion Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.

⁴ Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.

10.22038/rcm.2022.63696.1396

Abstract

Amongst sexually transmitted infections in the world, Trichomonas vaginalis is of the most common. Most of the infections are asymptomatic. It can infect women more than men because of genital tracts condition. The mother’s birth canal and perineum are common sources of infants’ eye infection. Some studies noted the possibility of T. vaginalis transmission through the birth canal to infants. Such an event can lead to neonatal conjunctivitis. By following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review conducted to assess the possibility of neonatal conjunctivitis caused by T. vaginalis. Several factors can play a role in T. vaginalis transmission, such as low sanitary level, physical contact by contaminated biological fluids and infant’s opened eyes during the delivery. Through the review of different studies, it is inferred, although the probability of neonatal conjunctivitis caused by T. vaginalis is low, but it is possible. Finally, metronidazole is an approved drug for treatment of trichomoniasis and needs to consider in neonatal conjunctivitis caused by T. vaginalis.

Keywords

neonatal conjunctivitis

Trichomonas vaginalis

sexually transmitted infections

sexually transmitted diseases

infant’s eye infection

trichomoniasis