Effect of metronidazole on the cell surface charge of Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus
Silva-Filho, F.C.; de-Souza, W.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 21(5): 1037-1045
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0100-879X PMID: 3266844 Document Number: 315647
The effect of metronidazole on the surface charge of Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus was analyzed by cell electrophoresis. Incubation of the parasites under anaerobic conditions for 2 or 120 min in the presence of 2.0 micro g/ml metronidazole (a concentration which inhibits cell growth by about 50%) led to a marked decrease in the net surface charge of the parasites. The metronidazole analogue 1-hydroxyethyl-2-methyl-1-4-nitroimidazole inhibited protozoan growth but had no effect on net surface charge. These observations indicate that metronidazole alters the surface of trichomonads.