A hospital-based study on the prevalence of trichomoniasis and evaluation of accuracy of various diagnostic techniques

Background: The sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by Trichomonas vaginalis have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and increased risk of HIV transmission. Trichomoniasis remains underreported despite being easy to diagnose and treat. Moreover, availability of battery of diagnostic tools causes dilemma on the most appropriate techniques to be used. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalis and its diagnostic accuracy employing various diagnostic techniques in women presenting with vaginal discharge in gynecological outpatient department (GOPD) of our tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Five vaginal swabs were collected from 204 patients with symptomatic vaginal discharge attending GOPD. Wet mount microscopy, Giemsa and acridine orange staining, culture in Kupferberg media and InPouch™ TV culture system, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed and compared. Results: The prevalence of T. vaginalis was 1.96% in the present study. Wet mount microscopy, staining method, and culture detected 1.96% of cases, whereas PCR detected 2.45% of cases. Conclusion: The prevalence of T. vaginalis was