Question:easy
A sexually active female presents with a profuse, frothy, foul-smelling discharge and intense itching. Examination reveals a strawberry cervix. What is the diagnosis?
A sexually active female presents with a profuse, frothy, foul-smelling discharge and intense itching. Examination reveals a strawberry cervix. What is the diagnosis?
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Which organism gives a frothy discharge and a strawberry cervix?
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Candidiasis
- None
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Buzzword spotting: Strawberry cervix plus a frothy, foul, greenish discharge is a near-pathognomonic combination for Trichomonas vaginalis. The strawberry look comes from punctate haemorrhages on the cervix (colpitis macularis).
Why Trichomonas: This motile, flagellated protozoan is sexually transmitted, fits the sexually active history, and causes intense vulvovaginal itching with the typical frothy yellow-green discharge. It is diagnosed on a saline wet mount showing motile organisms and treated with metronidazole for the patient and partner.
Eliminating the rest: Bacterial vaginosis yields a thin grey discharge with a fishy odour and a positive whiff test, but no froth and no strawberry cervix. Candidiasis gives a thick, white, cottage-cheese discharge with itching but no frothy discharge and no strawberry cervix. So the diagnosis is Trichomonas vaginalis.
Why Trichomonas: This motile, flagellated protozoan is sexually transmitted, fits the sexually active history, and causes intense vulvovaginal itching with the typical frothy yellow-green discharge. It is diagnosed on a saline wet mount showing motile organisms and treated with metronidazole for the patient and partner.
Eliminating the rest: Bacterial vaginosis yields a thin grey discharge with a fishy odour and a positive whiff test, but no froth and no strawberry cervix. Candidiasis gives a thick, white, cottage-cheese discharge with itching but no frothy discharge and no strawberry cervix. So the diagnosis is Trichomonas vaginalis.
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