Trichomoniasis is the third most common sexually transmitted infection in humans and is caused by the protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv). Pathogenic outcomes are more common in women and generally include mild vaginitis or cervicitis. However, more serious effects associated with trichomoniasis include adverse reproductive outcomes. Like other infectious agents, pathogenesis from Tv infection is predicted to be the result of both parasite and host factors. At the site of infection, neutrophils are the most abundant immune cells present and probably play key roles in both parasite clearance and inflammatory pathology. Here, we discuss the evidence that neutrophils home to the site of Tv infection, kill the parasite, and that in some circumstances, parasites possibly evade neutrophil-directed killing. In vitro, the parasite is killed by neutrophils using a novel antimicrobial mechanism called trogocytosis, which probably involves both innate and adaptive immunity. While mechanisms of evasion are mostly conjecture at present, the persistence of Tv infections in patients argues strongly for their existence. Additionally, many strains of Tv harbour microbial symbionts Mycoplasma hominis or Trichomonasvirus, which are both predicted to impact neutrophil responses against the parasite. Novel research tools, especially animal models, will help to reveal the true outcomes of many factors involved in neutrophil-Tv interactions during trichomoniasis.

滴虫病是人类第三种最常见的性传播感染，由原生动物寄生虫阴道毛滴虫( Tv ) 引起。致病结果在女性中更常见，通常包括轻度阴道炎或宫颈炎。然而，与滴虫病相关的更严重的影响包括不良的生殖结果。与其他传染原一样，电视感染的发病机制预计是寄生虫和宿主因素共同作用的结果。在感染部位，中性粒细胞是最丰富的免疫细胞，可能在寄生虫清除和炎症病理学中发挥关键作用。在这里，我们讨论中性粒细胞聚集在电视感染部位并杀死寄生虫的证据，并且在某些情况下，寄生虫可能逃避中性粒细胞定向杀伤。在体外，嗜中性粒细胞使用一种称为“trogocytosis”的新型抗菌机制杀死寄生虫，该机制可能涉及先天性免疫和适应性免疫。虽然目前逃避机制大多是猜测，但患者体内电视感染的持续存在有力地证明了其存在。此外，许多Tv菌株都含有微生物共生体人型支原体或毛滴虫病毒，预计它们都会影响中性粒细胞针对寄生虫的反应。新颖的研究工具，特别是动物模型，将有助于揭示滴虫病期间中性粒细胞-电视相互作用中涉及的许多因素的真实结果。