Use of an adaptation of a commercially available PCR assay aimed at diagnosis of chlamydia and gonorrhea to detect Trichomonas vaginalis in urogenital specimens.
Trichomonas vaginalis PCR using reagents from a commercially available assay for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was evaluated for detection of infection in women and men attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Evaluations included three primer sets, endocervical swabs, vaginal swabs and urine, and various storage conditions. The TVK3/TVK7 primer set was optimal in our hands with sensitivities ranging from 69.5 to 96.8%. In all comparisons, T. vaginalis PCR performed better than routine diagnostics using microscopy for women and culture for men (P > 0.05). The assay performed well for all sample types tested, and vaginal swabs were stable for up to 7 days at ambient temperature. Using samples prepared for, and reagents from, the C. trachomatis-N. gonorrhoeae PCR assay allowed incorporation of T. vaginalis PCR diagnosis into routine clinical testing.
Van Der Pol
Barbara
B
Division of Infectious Diseases, Indiana University Scool of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. bvanderp@iupui.edu
Kraft
Colleen S
CS
Williams
James A
JA
D000818:Animals; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000469:parasitology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014556:Urine / Q000469:parasitology; D014621:Vagina / Q000469:parasitology
D017931:DNA Primers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic