Background/introduction There is a low prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV) in the area where the clinics are based. Screening has been performed by wet preparations. BASHH guidelines have suggested the test of choice is nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) where resources allow- Would a TV NAAT detect more cases?

Aim(s)/objectives To compare detection rates of TV using a wet preparation, direct fluorescence, culture and NAAT tests in symptomatic female patients.

Methods The evaluation was performed in 2 stages. In the first stage, 218 symptomatic female patients had a high vaginal swabs (HVS) taken for a wet preparation and for fluorescence and culture for TV In the second stage 126 symptomatic female patients had HVS taken for wet preparation, fluorescence, culture and a further sample for TV NAAT by two methods of real time PCR.

Results 218 patients were tested in the first stage – 218 results were negative via wet preparation as well as via fluorescence and culture. In the second stage 124 results were negative via the wet preparation compared to 125 tests via culture/ fluorescence. There were 3 tests positive via NAAT (2 were positive via wet prep/culture/fluorescence. 1 was negative via wet prep but positive via culture/fluorescence). 2 tests were inhibitory via NAAT (negative via wet prep/culture/fluorescence).

Discussion/conclusion In this sample of symptomatic patients, the TV NAAT detected less than 1% (1/124) additional positive results. We conclude that in this low prevalence area for TV, a wet preparation from an HVS is satisfactory for screening symptomatic female patients.