portrait

Description:

The genus Trichomonas includes polymorphic parabasalid flagellates (5-30 µm) with four free anteriorly directed flagella and a short recurrent flagellum associated with an undulating membrane shorter than the body; no free posterior recurrent flagellum. Costa relatively slender, axostylar trunk protruding posteriorly; parabasal body V-shaped with one or two long parabasal filaments. Amoeboid and polymastigotes forms present in natural or culture conditions. Several species living in the genitor-urinary tract of humans such as T. vaginalis, the mouth such as T. tenax or in the instestine of birds such as T. gallinae. Image of Trichomonas vaginalis with short undulating membrane, posterior axostyle, nucleus (Giemsa).