Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in urine and male patient specimens Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a protozoan parasite that commonly infects the genital tract of men and women. It is now considered to be the most common curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) agent, with an estimated 3.7 million infected individuals in the United States.(1-4) Although up to 70% of infected individuals are asymptomatic, infections may be associated with vaginitis, urethritis, and cervicitis in women, and urethritis and prostatitis in men.(3) Patients that are infected with T vaginalis have an increased risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, while infections in pregnant women are associated with premature labor, low birth-weight offspring, premature rupture of membranes, and post-hysterectomy/post-abortion infection.(3)
Symptoms of T vaginalis overlap considerably with other sexually transmitted infections; therefore, laboratory diagnosis is required for definitive diagnosis. The most commonly used method for detection is microscopic examination of a wet-mount preparation of vaginal secretions. However, this method has only 35% to 80% sensitivity compared with culture.(5) Culture also suffers from relatively low sensitivity (38%-82%) when compared to molecular methods.(5) Culture is technically challenging and takes 5 to 7 days to complete. Molecular methods, such as the Aptima T vaginalis assay, offer high sensitivity and specificity for detection of trichomoniasis. The Aptima test utilizes target capture, transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), and hybridization protection assay (HPA) technologies for detection of T vaginalis ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Specimen Sources
Urethra
Specimen Types
Swab
Container
Collection Instructions
Specimen Type: Varies Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Urine Supplies: Aptima Urine Transport Tube (T582) Container/Tube: Aptima Urine Specimen Transport Tube Specimen Volume: 15 to 20 mL Collection Instructions: 1. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection. 2. Patient should collect first portion of random voided urine (first part of stream) into a sterile, plastic, preservative-free container. 3. Transfer 2 mL of urine into the Aptima urine specimen transport tube using the disposable pipette provided within 24 hours of collection. The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the black fill lines on the Aptima urine transport tube.
Specimen Type: Urine (following prostatic massage) Supplies: Aptima Urine Transport Tube (T582) Container/Tube: Aptima Urine Specimen Transport Tube Specimen Volume: 15 to 20 mL Collection Instructions: 1. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection. 2. Patient should void a small amount of urine prior to prostatic massage. Pre-massage urine can be discarded or submitted for other testing as applicable. 3. Patient then ceases voiding and a prostatic massage is performed by the urologist or other health care professional. 4. Collect post-massage urine into a sterile, plastic, preservative-free container. 5. Transfer 2 mL of post-massage urine specimen into the Aptima urine specimen transport tube using the disposable pipette provided within 24 hours of collection. The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the black fill lines on the Aptima urine transport tube.
Specimen Type: Urethral Supplies: Swab, Aptima Male/Female Collection (T583) Container/Tube: Aptima Collection Unisex Swab Specimen Volume: Swab Collection Instructions: 1. Urethral specimens must be collected using an Aptima Collection Unisex Swab. 2. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to collection. 3. With a rotating movement, insert swab (blue shaft) 2 to 4 cm into urethra. 4. Once inserted, rotate swab gently at least 1 full rotation using sufficient pressure to ensure swab comes into contact with all urethral surfaces. Allow swab to remain inserted for 2 to 3 seconds. 5. Place swab in the Aptima transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube. 6. Cap tube securely and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time. Specimen Minimum Volume: See Specimen Required Specimen Stability Information:
Specimen Type
Temperature
Time
Special Container
Varies
Refrigerated (preferred)
30 days
APTIMA VIAL
Ambient
30 days
APTIMA VIAL
Specimen Volume
Transport Instructions
Specimen Stability
Methodology
Transcription Mediated Amplification
Days Performed
Monday through Saturday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester Please order in house TRICH AMP for this types of samples
