There are a large number of microbes that can live in the human body for a long time, without appearing and without disturbing their carrier. They are considered opportunistic parasites. One of these bacteria is intestinal trichomonas.
In the body of a healthy person, it can never manifest itself. However, immunity should decline, and unpleasant symptoms of the presence of bacteria appear with all intensity.
Structure
Intestinal trichomonads are the simplest organisms consisting of one cell. They have special flagella, with the help of which they move with very active and erratic movements. They can rotate around its axis.
In its structure, intestinal trichomonas resembles a pear. Its length can reach from 8 to 20 microns.
Three to five flagella are located at the front edge of the microorganism, and another one at the back. The body of Trichomonas is covered with a unilateral wave-like membrane. This is the undulating membrane, the main motor organ of the unicellular. In the cytoplasm of the body are vacuoles and the nucleus.
Intestinal trichomonads multiply by division. They feed on the entire surface of their body, absorbing substances dissolved in liquids.
The difference between intestinal Trichomonas from other species
The simplest organism Trcihomonas comes in several varieties:
- elongata;
- vaginalis;
- hominis.
Only the latter species lives in the intestines. Elongata lives in the human oral cavity. Vaginalis infects the genitals.
Oral, intestinal and urogenital trichomonads differ among themselves both in structure and in level of pathogenicity. The most dangerous is the vaginal appearance.
Life cycle
In most cases, parasitism of intestinal Trichomonas occurs in the large intestine. Here she eats, absorbing the surrounding flora.
The life cycle of intestinal Trichomonas is direct:
- she has one master;
- the old microorganism is divided in half;
- after maturity, the new protozoa form daughter cells again.
In the human body, the existence of intestinal Trichomonas proceeds only in a vegetative form - with nutrition, growth and reproduction, cysts do not form. You can detect the parasite in the colon and in liquid bowel movements.
Infection pathways
Intestinal trichomonas is able to live outside the human body for some time. She gets to the new owner in the fecal-oral way:
- through dirty hands;
- due to eating contaminated food;
- by drinking contaminated water.
The source of infection is a sick person. Trichomonas emerges from it with feces. It gets into food and water either from hands stained with feces, or from flies that are carriers of the parasite.
Pathogenic effect
Intestinal trichomonas refers to opportunistic organisms. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that they can dwell on the mucous membrane for a long time without causing any unpleasant symptoms and without provoking the development of diseases. This is observed in people with strong immunity and normal intestinal microflora. Pathogenic, parasites become with a decrease in the protective properties of the body and a weakening of its overall resistance.
Activation of intestinal trichomonads is caused by:
- acute and chronic diseases (of a special viral type);
- prolonged use of antibiotics;
- age-related changes in the body;
- nervous shocks;
- alcohol abuse
- smoking;
- intense physical activity;
- carbohydrate diets.
Intestinal trichomoniasis alone is not a disease. However, when activated, parasites cause body reactions similar to infectious manifestations. They also serve as a catalyst for the emergence of various types of colitis and cholecystitis.
Signs of activation of intestinal trichomonas
Symptoms of the activity of pathogenic microorganisms begin to appear unexpectedly. In humans, the following clinical picture is observed:
- decreased appetite;
- headaches, chills, weakness, apathy appear;
- nausea is felt, it can end with vomiting;
- the temperature rises, in some cases it reaches thirty-nine degrees;
- pain occurs in the navel, their intensity increases during bowel movements;
- A person is tormented by debilitating diarrhea, its intensity can reach up to ten times a day.
Symptoms of intestinal Trichomonas resemble dysentery. However, the hallmark of the latter is the presence of blood in the feces. With trichomoniasis, a large amount of mucus is present in the feces. Its production is provoked by the development of inflammation and swelling of the intestine, which arise as a result of bacteria entering its walls.
If the parasite caused the manifestation of colitis, then the person will be diagnosed with the following symptoms:
- temperature rise;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- bloating, the appearance of heaviness;
- stool output with streaks of a greenish tint or colorless;
- pain intensifying during going to the toilet, after eating, with physical exertion;
- weakness;
- drowsiness.
In some cases, intestinal trichomonads cause seizures of cholecystitis. In humans, this is manifested:
- bouts of nausea and vomiting;
- a bitter taste in the mouth;
- aching pains in the right hypochondrium (they can give to the neck, shoulder blades, hands).
When symptoms of activation of intestinal Trichomonas appear, you must definitely visit a doctor. If untreated, ulcers may occur on the walls of the intestine. Trichomonads settle there. Thus, wound healing becomes difficult.
Diagnostics
It is impossible to determine the correct cause of the above symptoms from the clinical picture. Signs of activation of parasites with other gastrointestinal diseases are too similar. Only the diagnosis of intestinal Trichomonas, which is carried out by the method of laboratory studies, is considered reliable.
The feces of the patient are taken for analysis. Do not forget that the parasite can be present in the feces of a completely healthy person. The pathogenic effect of microorganisms is confirmed only when Trichomonas hominis is contained in feces in large quantities.
Treatment
If the presence of intestinal trichomoniasis is confirmed, then you need to proceed to the immediate suppression of the activity of parasites. The necessary therapeutic agents are prescribed only by a doctor. Self-treatment of intestinal Trichomonas is unacceptable.
To reduce the intensity of unpleasant symptoms, enterosorbent and a weak solution of potassium permanganate are prescribed. In order to protect the intestinal walls from ulcers, it is recommended to use a decoction of rice.
The suppression of activity and the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms is performed using antimicrobial drugs belonging to the group of nitroimidazoles. These medications have the following properties:
- destroy the DNA connection of Trichomonas;
- disrupt their replication;
- inhibit protein synthesis in the pathogen cell;
- inhibit tissue respiration of the microorganism.
Painkillers are not recommended. They lubricate the clinic and can lead to the appointment of the wrong treatment regimen.
During the fight against parasites, the doctor must constantly monitor the patient's condition, as well as monitor changes in the clinical manifestations of parasite activity. If necessary, adjustments are made to the treatment regimen.
Prevention
Universal and one hundred percent methods that will protect against infection with intestinal Trichomonas do not exist. However, doctors recommend paying attention to some measures that reduce the risk of a parasite entering the body. Recommended:
- fight flies, put nets on windows, hang special Velcro-traps for insects;
- be sure to wash your hands, do it every time after coming from the street, visiting the toilet, before eating;
- periodically take feces for laboratory testing;
- buy food sold in packaging;
- Be sure to wash the products;
- do not eat meat and fish dishes with blood, monitor their thorough heat treatment;
- drink water only after boiling;
- staying in third world countries do not eat in institutions with dubious hygiene.
If such measures are followed, the risks of infection with intestinal trichomonas are minimized. However, even if the parasite enters the body, it may never manifest itself. To do this, you need to strengthen your immunity - eat right, lead a healthy lifestyle, say goodbye to bad habits.
If unpleasant symptoms started to bother, then you should immediately seek medical help. A quick start to treatment will help restore health in the shortest possible time and with minimal damage to the body.