Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in male urethritis

Trichomonas vaginalis was diagnosed in 42 (19%) of 227 adult males with urethral discharge. In 27 men (15%) T. vaginalis was isolated together with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Non-gonococcal urethritis was diagnosed in 15 patients and T. vaginalis was isolated from 47% of such patients. Stained smear preparations, i.e. RapiDiff and acridine orange of modified Diamond's media, were superior to wet smear microscopy for the identification of T. vaginalis. RapiDiff stain was the most sensitive and identified 41 of 42 (98%) positive cultures. It is recommended that all turbid culture media should be stained for the optimal diagnosis of trichomoniasis.