The relationship between hygiene-social variables and Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

Purpose: Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is the most common parasitic infection among nonviral, sexually transmitted diseases in the urogenital system. The incidence of the disease can vary according to the socio-economic status of the societies or different social groups. This research was performed on women who had vaginal complaints and who applied to Eskisehir Cancer Research Early Diagnosis and Screening Center (KETEM) and Eskisehir State Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics. Methods & Materials: T. vaginalis was investigated by stained and unstained direct microscopic examination, culture and Real Time PCR methods, in a total of 406 female vaginal swabs taken from women applied to these two hospitals for control examination. During the collection of samples, an information form was applied to patients, in order to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of T. vaginalis and some social parameters. Results: T. vaginalis was detected by at least one of the methods in 35 (8.6%) of 406 swab samples. The distribution of 35 cases of T. vaginalis was; Twenty-eight (6.9%) were identified by direct microscopy and 27 (6.7%) by Giemsa staining and 31 (7.6%) by culture method and 35 (8.6%) by Real-Time PCR. In addition, direct microscopic examination, gram staining and routine culture methods were performed in all samples for other microorganisms that are likely to cause vaginal discharge. In 85 (20%) of all samples Candida spp., in 9 (2.2%) T. vaginalis and Candida spp. coexistence, in 25 (6.2%) Gardnerella vaginalis, in 11 (2.7%) G. vaginalis and Candida spp. coexistence was detected. There was no statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of T. vaginalis and social variables. Conclusion: When the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic methods are compared with their determined performance, it was suggested that the use of PCR method in addition to direct and stained microscopic examination and culture method in trichomoniasis would increase the sensitivity and would be helpful in accurate diagnosis of the agent.