The use of specimens from various genitourinary sites in men, to detect Trichomonas vaginalis infection

J Infect Dis. 2004 May 15;189(10):1926-31. doi: 10.1086/386309. Epub 2004 Apr 27.

Abstract

Variations in estimates of prevalence of trichomoniasis in men may reflect true differences in the burden of disease but are also affected by the performance of diagnostic methods and the type of specimen tested. In this study, men were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up, to evaluate syndromic management of urethritis and the effects of human immunodeficiency virus and trichomoniasis, in Lilongwe, Malawi. First-void urine specimens and urethral swabs were obtained at enrollment, for Trichomonas vaginalis culture; semen specimens were also obtained at follow-up. The sensitivities of testing methods using urine specimens and urethral swabs were equal; 67% of cases were identified by use of either specimen, and, in 47% of cases, both specimens tested positive. When semen specimens were included, all 3 specimens tested positive in only 19% of cases. Semen was the most sensitive single specimen, and, in 25.6% of cases, only semen specimens tested positive. Thus, prevalence of T. vaginalis infection in men is underestimated if only 1 specimen is tested.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Malawi / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Semen / microbiology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Trichomonas Infections / diagnosis*
  • Trichomonas Infections / drug therapy
  • Trichomonas Infections / epidemiology
  • Trichomonas Infections / urine
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / isolation & purification*
  • Urethra / microbiology*
  • Urethritis / complications
  • Urethritis / drug therapy
  • Urethritis / microbiology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Metronidazole