THE CLINICAL-DIAGNOSIS OF TRICHOMONIASIS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (1) , 30-34
Abstract
Women (226) consecutively attending an inner-city clinic for sexually transmitted diseases were evaluated. Problem-directed histories and physical examinations were conducted and vaginal specimens for wet preparation and Trichomonas vaginalis culture were obtained from each patient. Patients (100) were found to be infected. Patients with multiple sex partners were found to be at increased risk of trichomoniasis (P < 0.05). Those with abnormal discharge noted on examination had a higher frequency of positive cultures for T. vaginalis (P < 0.001). Only 50% of patients with trichomoniasis had an abnormal discharge. Patients with > 10 white blood cells per high power field on wet preparation, regardless of whether trichomonads were visualized, had a higher incidence of trichomoniasis (P < 0.01). Factors that were not associated with Trichomonas infection included patient age, frequency of coitus, date of most recent coitus, day of menstrual cycle on which patient was examined, recent antibiotic use, use of contraceptives or specific contraceptive methods, symptoms of discharge or pruritus or the finding of Leptothrix on wet preparation. Thus, the classic description of trichomoniasis evidently cannot be uniformly relied upon for diagnosis. Seemingly, patients with multiple sex partners, abnormal vaginal discharge and/or > 10 white blood cells per high power field on wet preparation are at increased risk of infection by T. vaginalis.