Usually used to treat amebiasis, vaginitis, Trichomonas infections, giardiasis, anaerobic bacteria and treponemal infections. Metronidazole is used to study DNA damage and repair and has been found to induce the gene transfer agent VSH-1 in Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. It is commonly used for treatment of periodontitis and is used in bioavailability studies.