Laboratory: Clinical Microbiology
Test Name:
TRICHOMONAS, ANTIGEN, VAGINAL SWAB
Test Code: TVA
Clinical Information:
Test Indications:
Female patient experiencing vaginal discharge that may be foul smelling and pruritus.

Recommendations:
The results obtained with this test must be used only as adjunct to other information available to the clinician.
A negative result may be obtained if the specimen collection is inadequate or if antigen concentration is below the sensitivity of the test.
This test does not differentiate between viable and non-viable organisms.
Patients with vaginitis/vaginosis symptoms may have mixed infections.  Therefore, a testing indicating the presence of T. vaginalis does not rule out the presence of Candidiasis or Bacterial vaginosis.
Routine screening for T. vaginalis infection is not advised for asymptomatic persons without HIV infection who do not have risk factors.

Patient Preparation Instructions:
Not applicable.
Collection Devices:
Preferred:  Dry rayon swab enclosed in sterile specimen container or in an empty sleeve.
Alternate:  Copan M40 Swab System.  
Do NOT use eSwab
Specimen Required: Swab of vaginal secretions/discharge (Adult and Pediatric) - Collect specimen from the vaginal cavity using a sterile, rayon tipped swab with a plastic shaft.  Place swab back in sleeve either with or without transport media.
Do NOT use a cotton tip or wooden shaft swabs for collection as these are unacceptable.
Trichomonas vaginalis antigen testing is not validated for male patients.
Referral:

Submit the swab to the laboratory as soon as possible.  If delays anticipated, swab may be held at room temperature for no longer than 24 hours or store at 4°C for a maximum of 36 hours, by which time it must be received by the laboratory.
Testing Laboratory (MB):  Health Science Center, St. Boniface General Hosp., and Westman Lab.
 
Requisition:
Reference Values:
Positive report:  Positive for Trichomonas vaginalis
Negative report:  Negative for Trichomonas vaginalis
Invalid:  control or background color makes reading the test impossible
Method of Analysis: A color immunochromatographic capillary flow technology.
Availability:
Daily
See Also:
More Information:
Submit specimen at ambient temperature.
If delay in transit, refrigerate transport device.