[Comparative assessment of the diagnostic value of the laboratory diagnostic methods for trichomoniasis]

The authors compared the sensitivity and specificity of currently available methods for laboratory diagnosis of trichomoniasis, by examining 971 persons. The highest frequency of T. vaginalis was detected by studies of a stained smear (37.4%), culture tests (19.0%); polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (17.1%), immunofluorescence tests (12.7%), wet smear test (2.7%). Enzyme immunoassay yielded positive results in 36.2% of cases. The use of PCR and culture tests frequently provided similar results (92.0%). The authors have proposed an algorithm of a laboratory study including wet smear microscopy, PCR, and culture tests as basic methods. They have noted the higher detection rates of T. vaginalis when analyzing during draining physiotherapeutic procedures (endocervical vibratory massage with vacuum aspiration in females and pneumovibratory massage of the prostate with endourethral chemotrypsin electrophoresis in males).