Uptake of amino acids by the parasitic, flagellated protist Trichomonas vaginalis

The flagellated protozoon, Trichomonas vaginalis, uses amino acids as energy substrates but are not indispensable in the presence of carbohydrates. Maltose is also used as the energy substrate for growth and persistence. Large concentrations of amino acids are used in the absence of maltose, as determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The consumed amino acids are arginine, leucine, threonine and methionine.