A new method for identification of Trichomonas vaginalis by fluorescent DNA in situ hybridization.
The protozoan flagellate Trichomonas vaginalis is responsible for human trichomoniasis, one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Several methods are currently used for laboratory diagnosis, including direct microscopic observation, cell culture, immunological techniques, and more recently, DNA probing and gene amplification. This report describes an in situ hybridization technique with specific DNA probes labeled with either biotin, rhodamine, or fluorescein for detection of T. vaginalis with fluorescence microscopy. Repetitive DNA sequences were evident in the nuclei of the protozoa as intensively fluorescent regions, giving a spotted pattern. No cross-reactivity between the probes and the DNAs of mammalian cells, yeasts, or bacteria was noted. This technique is potentially useful for the diagnosis of human trichomoniasis in clinical samples.
Instituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Porto Conte, Italy.
R
R
Muresu
S
S
Rubino
P
P
Rizzu
A
A
Baldini
M
M
Colombo
P
P
Cappuccinelli
D000818:Animals; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
D015342:DNA Probes; D016054:DNA, Protozoan