Source
Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA. sshafir@ucla.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Two of the major diagnostic methods for Trichomonas vaginalis, wet mount and culture, rely on the continued viability of the organism. Methods to increase the viability of T. vaginalis in urine are needed.
GOAL:
The goal of this study was to develop a method that increases the time of viability of T. vaginalis in urine.
STUDY DESIGN:
Urine samples were inoculated with trichomonads, held at either room temperature or 37 degrees C, and processed through a column and frit, which was then placed in either a tube of culture medium containing antibiotics or a TV InPouch.
RESULTS:
The column and polyethylene frit system was found to increase the duration of viability for T. vaginalis from urine specimens at least 6-fold.
CONCLUSION:
This novel method, which uses a column and frit system to increase the duration of viability of the organism, has the potential to increase the sensitivity of diagnostic tests.