Phenotypic 'variant' forms of Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites from cervical neoplasia patients

► Study for the first time established phenotypic variant forms of trophozoites isolated from non-cervical neoplasia (NCN) and cervical neoplasia (CN) patient. ► Growth rates were significantly higher in parasites from CN isolates. ► The higher nuclear content of trophozoites in CN probably resulted in larger numbers of the parasites. ► The higher numbers of vacuoles and hydrogenosomes in CN implies that the trophozoites were active and requires energy. ► The rough surface of trophozoites seen in CN isolates implies that these were the virulent forms.