The Effects of Various Bacteria and Their Metabolites on Growth of Trichomonas vaginalis In vitro

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Abstract
The growth of T. vaginalis with single spp. of bacteria has been compared to that of bacteria-free controls in the medium of Sprince and Kupferberg. An analysis of the effects of various bacteria on the trichomonad has included detns. of pH and oxidation-reduction potential changes, the effect of certain bacterial filtrates on the growth of the flagellate, and a study of nutritional factors in the medium. The normal growth curve of the trichomonad was detd. and is reported. In general, the effects of bacteria studied on T. vaginalis were of 3 general types: (1) strong inhibition of growth with rapid disappearance of the flagellate from the culture, (2) a less pronounced inhibition or even slightly stimulative effect, always with a decrease in the life span of the culture, and (3) prolongation of the life of the culture without, however, the flagellate population equaling that of controls at any time. 14 bacteria were studied and their effects on the trichomonad are reported. Filtrates of certain bacteria selected for their effects had little if any influence on the growth of the flagellate. No correlation could be found between the effects of the various bacteria and changes in pH and oxidation-reduction potential of the medium when bacteria and the flagellates were grown together. Nutritional studies indicated that inhibition and early death of the flagellate in the presence of certain bacteria was caused by the removal of maltose essential to the flagellate. Other components of the medium seemed to be of little importance in the competition for nutrients. It was found that glucose could replace maltose and that in the presence of sufficient carbohydrate, growth of the flagellate might be stimulated by certain bacteria that otherwise inhibited it, presumably by rapid depletion of essential amounts of carbohydrate.

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