Prospective observational study of Trichomonas tenax infection in patients with pneumonia
Zih-Bin Hong,
Yu-Ting Lai,
Chun-Hsien Chen,
Ching-Han Lai,
Yi-Jen Chen,
Chin-Wei Kuo,
Tzu-Yi Chan,
Pei-Chi Fang,
Chien-Chin Chen,
Wei-Chen Lin
Affiliations
Zih-Bin Hong
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Yu-Ting Lai
Department of Chest Division, Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
Chun-Hsien Chen
Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Ching-Han Lai
Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Yi-Jen Chen
Department of Chest Division, Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
Chin-Wei Kuo
Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Tzu-Yi Chan
Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Pei-Chi Fang
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Chien-Chin Chen
Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; Corresponding author. Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, 539, Zhongxiao Road, Chiayi, 600, Taiwan.
Wei-Chen Lin
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Corresponding author. Department of Parasitology, National Cheng Kung University, R.O.C. No.1, University Road, Tainan City, 701, Taiwan.
Trichomonas tenax, an oral commensal parasite commonly found in the human mouth, is associated with periodontitis and poor oral hygiene. However, it has also been identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of individuals with lung diseases. Notably, significant quantities of T. tenax have been isolated following bronchoscopy in cases of empyema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Furthermore, research has demonstrated its ability to induce inflammation in pulmonary epithelial cells. To comprehend the potential role of T. tenax in pneumonia, it is crucial to elucidate the relationship between the parasite and the disease. We investigated the clinical factors associated with T. tenax infection in patients with pneumonia. Employing nested polymerase chain reactions, we amplified nucleic acids from BALF and analyzed the relationships between T. tenax and various clinical factors. Our data revealed a significant association between T. tenax and bacterial infections, high pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores, nasogastric tube feeding, and pulmonary complications. Logistic regression analyses also showed strong associations between T. tenax and these clinical factors in pneumonia patients. These findings suggest that T. tenax infection in pneumonia is accompanied by bacterial infection and severe clinical manifestations.
