Molecular probe for identification of <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> DNA

Trichomoniasis is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Diagnosis can be achieved by several methods, such as direct microscopic observation of vaginal discharge, cell culture, and immunological techniques. A 2.3-kb Trichomonas vaginalis DNA fragment present in strains from diverse geographic areas was cloned and used as a probe to detect T. vaginalis DNA in vaginal discharge by a dot blot hybridization technique. This probe was specific for T. vaginalis DNA. It recognized strains from two regions in Italy (Sardinia, Piemonte) and from Mozambique (Africa). In addition, our probe did not cross-react with bacterial (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., group B streptococci, Gardnerella vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Lactobacillus spp.), viral (herpes simplex virus type 2), fungal (Candida albicans), protozoan (Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania major, and Leishmania infantum), or human nucleic acids. The probe reacted with Pentatrichomonas hominis and Trichomonas foetus. The limit signal recognized by our probe corresponded to the DNA of 200 T. vaginalis isolates. The 2.3-kb probe was used in a clinical analysis of 98 samples. Of these, 20 samples were found to be positive both with the probe and by cell culture, and only 14 of these were positive by a standard wet mount method