Comparative Analysis of Various Diagnostic Methods for Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis infection is a common sexually transmitted infection in the reproductive age group, which may lead to complications. Wet mount examination is the most common test for diagnosis, but it has low sensitivity. Fluorescent antibody staining can be used for diagnosis, but it is expensive and requires special microscopic facility. Culture is considered as the gold standard, but it takes a long time for diagnosis and not practical for routine use. OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test is a recently introduced rapid method based on immunochromatographic assay of trichomonal protein antigens. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT’s) are highly sensitive, it requires expensive resources and is currently not widely available in developing countries. The present study was done to compare these four available diagnostic techniques for detection of trichomoniasis. Samples were collected from a total of six hundred ninety two (692) patients. Wet mount examination, Fluorescent antibody staining, InPouch culture and OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test were performed. Out of 692 patients included in our study, Four hundred and twenty two (422) were females and Two hundred seventy (270) were males. 12.4% positive cases of Trichomoniasis were detected by InPouch culture. OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test detected in (11.2%) cases and Fluorescent antibody staining detected in 9.3% cases, whereas, wet mount examination detected only 3.5% positive cases. OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test showed sensitivity and specificity of 90.5% and 98.5%, respectively. Comparative analysis of four diagnostic methods indicates OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test is a easily performed simple test with higher sensitivity and specificity than both wet mount examination and Fluorescent antibody staining. Standardized strips of high quality with reasonable costing could be recommended as a routine test in clinic as well as in rural settings.