title: Targeted screening for Trichomonas vaginalis in women, a pH-based approach.
abstract: In the genitourinary medicine clinic setting, the most practical and widely used method of diagnosing Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is direct microscopy of a wet mount preparation (WMP) of a sample taken from the posterior vaginal fornix. We retrospectively reviewed the potential impact of further limiting WMP to women with a vaginal pH > or =4.5. In total, 5/100 women with TV diagnosed on WMP had a recorded vaginal pH <4.5. One case of TV was identified in 1000 consecutive WMPs performed in women with vaginal pH <4.5. Our review demonstrates that, in our two groups, TV as diagnosed by WMP is strongly associated with a vaginal pH > or =4.5.
authors.affiliation: The Jefferiss Wing, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK. charlottebell@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hough
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D014626:Vaginal Smears