Use of an adaptation of a commercially available PCR assay aimed at diagnosis of chlamydia and gonorrhea to detect Trichomonas vaginalis in urogenital specimens

Abstract

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.

FIG. 1.

Procedure for testing 96 samples for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and T. vaginalis using reagents from one set of Amplicor CT/NG reagents. The asterisks indicate T. vaginalis PCR deviations from the CT/NG procedure.