Signature of real-time PCR in detection of Trichomonas vaginalis infection and its association with human papillomavirus genotype 16

E.A. Heikal, A.M. Elamir, M.A. Hegazi, H.S. Salem, A.M. Tawfeik, A.H. Bosilah, M.S. Bakry, Y.N. Abdel-Hafez

Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. azzaelamer2013@gmail.com

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• Biochemistry
• Gynecology
• Microbiology

OBJECTIVE: Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection in the world. The objective of the study was to investigate the incidence of TV infection and its association with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in a sample of Egyptian females.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 96 Egyptian females suspected for trichomoniasis were involved in our study. Vaginal washouts and cervical (cytobrush) samples were obtained from all patients and examined for T. vaginalis by direct wet mount, modified Diamond’s culture medium, and real-time PCR. Cervical (cytobrush) samples were examined for HPV using real-time PCR.

RESULTS: Out of 96 patients, 28 (29%) was positive for T. vaginalis by real-time PCR. HPV was detected in 33 patients (34.4%); 31 cases (32.3%) were infected with HPV of genotype 16, whereas only two cases (2.1%) had genotype 18 infection. A significant association was found between TV and HPV infection [Odds ratio (OR)=10.58; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.819 – 29.29; p<0.001].

CONCLUSIONS: When it comes to diagnosing trichomoniasis in a susceptible population, real-time PCR is more reliable than traditional standard approaches. A significant association between TV and HPV infection was found. Further research into the processes by which these two organisms interact at the cellular level could be revealed.

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