Trichomonas
| Trichomonas | |
|---|---|
| Two trophozoites of Trichomonas vaginalis stained with Giemsa | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Phylum: | Metamonada |
| Subphylum: | Trichozoa |
| Clade: | Parabasalia |
| Order: | Trichomonadida |
| Family: | Trichomonadidae |
| Genus: | Trichomonas |
| Species | |
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Trichomonas is a genus of anaerobic excavate parasites of vertebrates. It was first discovered by Alfred François Donné in 1836 when he found these parasites in the vagina of a patient suffering from vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina. Donné named the genus from its morphological characteristics. The prefix tricho- originates from the Ancient Greek word θρίξ (thrix) meaning hair, describing Trichomonas’s flagella. The suffix -monas (μονάς – single unit), describes its similarity to unicellular organisms from the genus Monas.