Several diagnostic techniques have been employed for the detection of
Trichomonas vaginalis
. Microtubules constitute the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells and are sensitive
to antimitotic drugs, such as Taxol (paclitaxel). We used FLUTAX a fluorescent
taxoid - to analyze the microtubule distribution in living trophozoites of
T. vaginalis
in urine and in vaginal discharge. A high intensity of fluorescence was observed
in living
T. vaginalis
, epithelial cells and leukocytes present in urine and vaginal discharge. Our
preliminary results show the perspective of a new diagnostic technique for
trichomonosis and will contribute to the understanding of the cytoskeleton
of
T. vaginalis
.
