Avwioro O G
Trichomonas vaginalis is sometimes seen in Pap smears where it is reported, but because emphasis is placed on malignant cells in Pap smears, not much is done to search for this parasite in smears. In this experiment, cervical and vaginal specimens were examined microscopically in wet preparations and simultaneously by the conventional Papanicolaou method for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis. The specimens were also cultured for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis and PCR done to confirm the presence of the organisms. When compared with positive results of culture and PCR, wet preparations had the highest sensitivity of 81.58% followed by 65.77% of diagnosis based on both perinuclear halo and T. vaginalis. Presumptive diagnosis based on perinuclear halo alone was 52.63% while diagnosis based on identification of organisms in Pap smear was 42.11%. Therefore, the effectiveness of diagnosis of T. vaginalis in Pap smears is about 65.77% and it should not be used to exclude trichomoniasis.
