Real-Time PCR Improves Detection ofTrichomonas vaginalisInfection Compared With Culture Using Self-Collected Vaginal swabs

[摘要] Objective.To compare a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with broth culture for the detection ofTrichomonas vaginalisusing self-collected vaginal swabs.Methods.Self-collected vaginal swabs were obtained from adolescent and young adult African-American women participating in HIV-1 prevention programs.T. vaginalisculture was performed using the InPouch TV System. Samplesfor the real-time PCR assay were collected using the BDProbeTec ET Culturette Direct Dry Swab system and tested in a laboratory-developed assay which targeted a repeated sequence of the genome. Discrepant samples that were culture negative and positive in the real-time PCR assay were tested in a confirmatory PCR which targeted a different region of theT. vaginalisgenome, the18S ribosomal DNA gene.Results.Of the 524 specimens tested by both culture and real-time PCR, 36 were culture positive and 54 were positive in the real-time PCR assay; 16 of the 18 discrepant specimens were also positive in the confirmatory PCR assay. Using amodified gold standard of positive by culture or positive in both PCR assays, the sensitivity of the real-time PCR assay was 100% and the specificity was 99.6%, whereas culture had a sensitivity of 69.2% and a specificity of 100%.Conclusions.The real-time PCR assay was sensitive and specific for the detection ofT. vaginalisDNA from self-collected vaginal swab specimens. The ability to use the BDProbeTec dry swab system for the real-time PCR testing allowed for the detection ofChlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae,andT. vaginalisfrom a single specimen.

[学科分类] 妇产科学