Because of this, and also due to the broad and non-specific nature of symptoms, which can range from severe to negligible depending on the individual, some people pass it on without knowing.
"Furthermore, the non-specific nature (or in some cases, absence) of trichomoniasis symptoms often confuses it with other STIs, making the process of diagnosis itself, difficult," Ms Dunne said.
"Many infections remain undiagnosed as a result."
It is hoped that the results of the project will help research and improve treatments, in turn sponsoring awareness.
Ms Dunne's contribution to the project involved the identification and annotation of several large families of genes related to those involved in various mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance.
As a result of the genome being sequenced, she has since been able to localise specific genes of interest to the whole chromosome and begin the mapping process.
"Mapping the genome is the next step in the genome sequencing of T. vaginalis and will create a visual blueprint of the parasite, allowing researchers to see where their genes fit in to the big picture."
The results of the collaborative project have been published in the prestigious international journal
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Source:Research Australia