title: Collaborative approach to improve the detection and management of trichomoniasis in a low prevalence district.
abstract: We describe a simple collaborative approach developed by the departments of cytology, microbiology and genitourinary (GU) medicine for the detection, diagnosis and management of microbiologically confirmed Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection. Over a 2-year period, 54 (0.1%) of 52,440 cervical smears were reported to show TV, but microbiological confirmation was made in only 76% of 34 patients from whom a vaginal swab was subsequently taken. Trichomoniasis should not be diagnosed by cytology alone and clinicians need further education on the role of cytology in diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Over the same period, from a total of 96 cases of TV identified in the district, only 12 (13%) were first diagnosed in the department of GU medicine. Forty per cent of the other 84 patients were subsequently seen in the GU clinic for test of cure, contact tracing and screening for other STDs. Collaborations between departments may improve the management of trichomoniasis and other conditions in the community and their development should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Wycombe Hospital, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Waghorn
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Luzzi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*