Maryam Alikhani - Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran & Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Reza Saberi - Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Seyed Abdollah Hosseini - Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Fatemeh Rezaei - Islamic Azad University, Chalus Branch, Chalus, Iran.
Abdol satar Pagheh - Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
Asad Mirzaei - Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran & Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis. The genetic characterization of T. vaginalis isolates shows notable genetic variation in this parasite. In the present study, we aimed to identify the T. vaginalis genotypes based on analyzing of actin gene in women specimens referred to health centers of Ilam city, southwest Iran. Methods: A total of ۱۷۶۵ female samples were collected from gynecology clinics in the city of Ilam. DNA was extracted from positive samples and nested polymerase chain reaction (Nested PCR) was used to amplify the actin gene. Then, partial sequencing and genotyping of the actin gene was performed. A phylogenetic tree was drawn using the detected genotypes of T. vaginalis and reference sequences. Results: Twenty-one of the ۱۷۶۵ urine and vaginal samples were positive for T. vaginalis. All infected individuals were married and their age in years was between ۲۵ to ۳۴. Further, the majority of infected women had cervical lesions, patchy erythema, and white color discharge. According to sequencing analysis, the isolates were identified as genotype G (n= ۸) and genotype E (n= ۲). Conclusions: From the collected samples, we were able to distinguish at least two genotypes (G and E) of T. vaginalis. However, lesser is known about these genotypes in the city of Ilam. Further studies with a higher number of isolates should be performed in order to understand the implications of these results in this region.

Actin gene, Genotypes, Ilam, Iran, Trichomonas vaginalis.