Which test is used to diagnose trichomoniasis?

Which test is used to diagnose trichomoniasis?

• A. Saline wet smear test
• B. Whiff test
• C. Normal saline smear test
• D. Potassium hydroxide test

Answer: (A)

Diagnosing trichomoniasis is best done by directly seeing the parasite in the discharge. In a saline wet mount, vaginal fluid is placed in saline on a slide and examined under a microscope. The Trichomonas trophozoites are small, pear-shaped, and possess flagella, so they swim rapidly in the saline. That visible motility of live organisms is the clearest clue for this infection, making the saline wet mount the most specific and rapid diagnostic choice among the options. The Whiff test (adding a potassium hydroxide solution to the discharge) is used more for bacterial vaginosis and detects an amine odor rather than any specific parasite. The potassium hydroxide test is essentially the same odor-based test and isn’t used to identify Trichomonas. The term “normal saline smear test” describes the same basic saline preparation, but the standard terminology for directly observing motile parasites is the saline wet mount. In many settings, NAAT from a vaginal swab is more sensitive, but among these options, the saline wet mount best fits the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.

Diagnosing trichomoniasis is best done by directly seeing the parasite in the discharge. In a saline wet mount, vaginal fluid is placed in saline on a slide and examined under a microscope. The Trichomonas trophozoites are small, pear-shaped, and possess flagella, so they swim rapidly in the saline. That visible motility of live organisms is the clearest clue for this infection, making the saline wet mount the most specific and rapid diagnostic choice among the options.

The Whiff test (adding a potassium hydroxide solution to the discharge) is used more for bacterial vaginosis and detects an amine odor rather than any specific parasite. The potassium hydroxide test is essentially the same odor-based test and isn’t used to identify Trichomonas. The term “normal saline smear test” describes the same basic saline preparation, but the standard terminology for directly observing motile parasites is the saline wet mount. In many settings, NAAT from a vaginal swab is more sensitive, but among these options, the saline wet mount best fits the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.