The Species of Trichomonas in Man

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Abstract
From the literature dealing with morphology, incidence and inoculation experiments evidence is presented for the existence of distinct spp. of Trichomonas in the mouth, intestine and genital tract. T. tennx of the mouth and T. vaginalis of the genital tract, each with 4 anterior flagella, no trailing flagellum and a well developed parabasal apparatus, are much alike in morphology but differ in various ways including physiological characteristics. The most common intestinal sp. has 5 anterior flagella, a. trailing flagellum, a pelta and other distinctive characteristics which may justify setting it apart in the genus Pentatridiomonas. The existence of 3-flagellated and 4-flagellated varieties is yet to be definitely demonstrated. In general, the incidence of T. vaginalis is much higher than that of the intestinal sp. and coincident infections are uncommon, indicating no transfer from one part of the body to another. Failure of each of these spp. to survive when inoculated into parts of the body other than the one in which it is commonly found also indicates specific distinctness.
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