COMPARISON OF LABORATORY METHODS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC OF TRICHOMONASIS.

In Mongolia, there is a variable number of Trichomonas vaginalis (T.vaginalis) infections reported and therefore we need a detection tool which is highly sensitive and specific. At the present study, we compared wet mount, gram stain, culture and PCR for detection of T.vaginalis from 109 samples collected in “UlaanTuuz” hospital in NCCID. As a result, 21.1%(23/109) were positive by wet mount, 18,3%(20/109) were positive by gram stain, 28.4%(31/109) were positive by culture and 36.6%(40/109) were positive by PCR respectively as compared to other methods. Further T.vaginalis trophozoite isolate was used to determine PCR sensitivity. Trophozoite isolate was counted by using haemocytometer and 10.1x104 was counted in one mL diluted swab sample. From that sample, trophozoite isolate was diluted 3156, 1578, 100, 50, 12, 3, 1.5 (1-2) per mL sample. PCR was performed serially diluted samples and as a result, all the samples had 102bp T.vaginalis specific DNA band and confirmed PCR method was sensitive. Out of 109 samples 17 (15.5%) were positive by all detection methods. Since PCR had highest number of positivity, we have used it as a “golden standart” to calculate sensitivity and specificity of these methods. PCR had 100% specificity as compared to 98% wet mount, 98.5% gram stain and 100% culture. On the other hand culture had the highest sensitivity 77.5% as compared to PCR 100%, wet mount and gram stain 47.5-77.5%.