Life Science Journal 2012;9(4) http://www.lifesciencesite.com 5854 Virulence of Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis and Chlamydia trachomatis Vaginal Pathogens in Sexually Transmitted Diseases Nehal E. Yousef 1,5 , Amgad Ezzat 2,5 , Amani Shaman 3,5 and Nagwa S.M. Aly 4,5 1 Departments of Microbiology, Zagaziz University,Egypt. 2 Departments of Microbiology Assuit University, Egypt 3 Department of Gyncology, Faculty of Medicine 4 Department of Parasitology, Benha Faculty of Medicine, Egypt. 5 Tabuk University, KSA nehalyousef@yahoo.com Abstract: The present work was designed to study Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact. After isolation and purification of microorganisms from urine, vaginal fluid, urethral discharge, prostate secretions, or urethral scrapings semens, and endocervical smear from 50 controlled groups and 50 patients groups of women and men, they identified as aerobic Gram positive cocci such as Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis, Streptococci spp and Sarcinaspp, Gram negative cocci as proteus spp and Gram negative rods as E. coli, anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroids distasonis, lactobacilli spp, yeast such as Candida albicans were isolated from control women and men groups. However, Chlamidia and Trichomonus vaginalis were isolated only from patient groups. The results suggest that protease production, germ tube formation and adherence to epithelial cells play an important role in virulence of Candida albicans. However, protease production and adherence to epithelial cells were the virulence factors of Trichomonus vaginalis and Chlamidia trachomatis. [Nehal E. Yousef, Amgad Ezzat, Amani Shaman and Nagwa S.M. Aly. Virulence of Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis and Chlamydia trachomatis Vaginal Pathogens in Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):5854-5861] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . 873 Keywords: Vaginal pathogens- virulence 1. Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are spread primarily through person- to-person sexual contact. There are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites (Slotnick et al., 1963 and Faro., 1991). An extensive and diverse spectrum of pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms may be observed in vaginal microflora. In spite of the wide-ranging literature on the microbiology of normal and abnormal flora of the vagina, many questions have still not been completely answered (Fleury., 1981and Hammill et al., 1989) . Various infectious processes in the vagina are the result of disequilibrium of this flora 1 , such as that occurring during pregnancy(McCue et al., 1979 and et al., 1991). The most common STDs infections are caused by Candida sp., Gardnerella vaginalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Chlamydia trachomatis (Bauer et al., 1991and . Bosch, 1992 ) Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women (Schneider et al., 1987 and Murta et al., 1997). If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby (Moore et al., 1982).Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called venereal diseases, are caused by sexual contact or contact with infected objects such as toilet seats. Sexually transmitted diseases have become a serious health problem (Kinghorn, 1978).Young women are at greater risk than older women for reproductive and health complications caused by STDs (Carne, 1990 and Strand et al., 1993) Because Sexually transmitted diseases are prevalent in the world, our study advise a sexually active adult to have regular sexual check-ups to identify and diagnose STDs. There are several methods to test for sexually transmitted diseases (or sexually transmitted infections) such as physical examination and laboratory diagnosis when symptoms are visible. 2. Materials and Methods Specimens Clinical specimens include urine, vaginal fluid, urethral discharge, prostate secretions, or urethral scrapings semen, and endocervical smear. Vaginal specimens for culture may be either self collected with a swab, or collected by the clinician with a swab or plastic loop for the diagnosis of bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections (Voog et al., 1995). Diagnosis (Suzanne et al., 2003, Yin et al., 2008 and Martínez 2009: • Physical Exam to look for symptoms of disease • Microscopic examination of vaginal secretions • Culture of male urine or urethral swab