A comparison of current laboratory methods and a new semi-solid culture medium for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis

A comparison of three different laboratory methods currently in use for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis indicated that each method had some disadvantages. Examination of a wet preparation was the simplest method but yielded the lowest proportion of positive results; the cultural method, although more fruitful, was relatively slow and failed to detect non-viable trichomonads; examination of a Leishman-stained film yielded the highest proportion of positive results but probably failed to detect trichomonads when they were present in very small numbers. The best combination of methods was found to be Leishman film and culture: the positive yield was 99%.