InPouch TV culture for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis.
OBJECTIVE
Trichomonas vaginalis accounts for almost half of all curable sexually transmitted infections and has also been associated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy and increased risk of HIV in women. Diagnosis of the condition by direct wet mount examination has a low sensitivity. Herein, we describe our experience with InPouch culture system for the detection of T. vaginalis.


METHODS
This prospective study was carried out from May 2003 to April 2004 among women presenting with genitourinary symptoms attending a primary health center clinic in Ballabhgarh, India. Two vaginal swabs (cotton tips) were obtained from each woman. The first swab was obtained from the lateral wall of vagina and was used to make a wet mount preparation. The second swab was obtained from the posterior fornix of the vagina and inoculated in the InPouch for culture of T. vaginalis.


RESULTS
Of the 601 women, 22 were positive by direct microscopy for T. vaginalis while 40 were positive by culture. Overall, T. vaginalis accounted for 6.7 per cent of reproductive tract infections.


CONCLUSIONS
The InPouch TV culture system is a simple, cost-effective and a sensitive method for diagnosing T. vaginalis and may be recommended for routine use in diagnosing genital tract infections.
Sood
Seema
S
Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Mohanty
Srujana
S
Kapil
Arti
A
Tolosa
Jorge
J
Mittal
Suneeta
S
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic