Korean J Parasitol.  2016 Apr;54(2):191-195. 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.2.191.

Optimization of Trichomonas vaginalis Diagnosis during Pregnancy at a University Hospital, Argentina

• Testardini P
• Vaulet ML
• Entrocassi AC
• Menghi C
• Eliseht MC
• Gatta C
• Losada M
• Touzón MS
• Corominas
• Vay C
• Tatti S
• Famiglietti A
• Fermepin M
• Perazzi B

• KMID: 2164017
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2016.54.2.191

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate different methods for Trichomonas vaginalis diagnosis during pregnancy in order to prevent maternal and perinatal complications. A total of 386 vaginal exudates from pregnant women were analyzed. T. vaginalis was investigated by 3 types of microscopic examinations direct wet mount with physiologic saline solution, prolonged May-Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) staining, and wet mount with sodium-acetate-formalin (SAF)/methylene blue method. PCR for 18S rRNA gene as well as culture in liquid medium were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic examinations were evaluated considering the culture media positivity or the PCR techniques as gold standard. The frequency of T. vaginalis infection was 6.2% by culture and/or PCR, 5.2% by PCR, 4.7% by culture, 3.1% by SAF/methylene blue method and 2.8% by direct wet smear and prolonged MGG staining. The sensitivities were 83.3%, 75.0%, 50.0%, and 45.8% for PCR, culture, SAF/methylene blue method, and direct wet smear-prolonged MGG staining, respectively. The specificity was 100% for all the assessed methods. Microscopic examinations showed low sensitivity, mainly in asymptomatic pregnant patients. It is necessary to improve the detection of T. vaginalis using combined methods providing higher sensitivity, such as culture and PCR, mainly in asymptomatic pregnant patients, in order to prevent maternal and perinatal complications.

Keyword

Trichomonas vaginalis; diagnosis; pregnancy; Argentina

MeSH Terms

Argentina*
Culture Media
Diagnosis*
Exudates and Transudates
Female
Genes, rRNA
Humans
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Pregnancy*
Pregnant Women
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sodium Chloride
Trichomonas vaginalis*
Trichomonas*
Culture Media
Sodium Chloride