Trichomonas
Encyclopedia
Trichomonas is a genus of anaerobic protist
s that are parasites of vertebrates. They are included with the parabasalid
s.
Species of Trichomonas include:
Protist
Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms. Historically, protists were treated as the kingdom Protista, which includes mostly unicellular organisms that do not fit into the other kingdoms, but this group is contested in modern taxonomy...
s that are parasites of vertebrates. They are included with the parabasalid
Parabasalid
The parabasalids are group of flagellate protozoa, most of which are symbiotic in animals. These include a variety of forms found in the guts of termites and cockroaches, many of which have symbiotic bacteria that help them digest wood. Some other species are human pathogens.-Characteristics:The...
s.
Species of Trichomonas include:
- Trichomonas vaginalisTrichomonas vaginalisTrichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic, flagellated protozoan, a form of microorganism. The parasitic microorganism is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, and is the most common pathogenic protozoan infection of humans in industrialized countries. Infection rates between men and women are the...
, an organism generally living inside the vagina of humans - Trichomonas gallinaeTrichomonas gallinaeThe protozoan Trichomonas gallinae is a cosmopolitan parasite of pigeons and doves. Other birds such as domestic and wild turkeys, chickens, raptors may also become infected. The disease in pigeons is commonly called "canker"...
, which infects birds. Lesions found in the fossil jaws of tyrannosaurid dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex were likely caused by a parasite similar to Trichomonas gallinae. - Trichomonas termopsidis, found in termite guts