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HelpTest ID: TVRNA Trichomonas vaginalis, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Varies
Useful For
Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in female patients
Reporting Name
Trichomonas vaginalis Amplified RNASpecimen Type
VariesNecessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
This test is performed only on female patients.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Endocervix
Supplies: Swab, Aptima Male/Female Collection (T583) (also known as Aptima Collection Unisex Swab)
Specimen Volume: Adequate amount
Collection Instructions:
1. Endocervix specimens must be collected using the Aptima Collection Unisex Swab.
2. Use cleaning swab (white shaft) to remove excess mucus from endocervix and discard.
3. Insert second swab (blue shaft) 1 to 1.5 cm into endocervical canal, and rotate swab gently for 30 seconds. Avoid touching vaginal wall when removing swab.
4. Place second swab (blue shaft) into Aptima transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.
5. Cap tube securely and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.
6. Transport and store swab container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 60 days of collection.
Specimen Type: Vaginal
Supplies: Swab, Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit (T584)
Specimen Volume: Adequate amount
Collection Instructions:
1. Vaginal specimens must be collected using the Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit, formerly called Aptima Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit).
2. Insert swab (pink shaft) about 5 cm past introitus and rotate gently for 30 seconds.
3. Place swab into Aptima transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.
4. Cap tube securely and label tube with patient's entire name and collection date and time.
5. Transport and store swab container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 60 days of collection.
Specimen Type: ThinPrep Specimen (Endocervix)
Supplies: Aptima Thin Prep Transport Tube (T652)
Container/Tube: ThinPrep (also called PreservCyt) Collection Kit
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Aliquot ThinPrep specimen for Trichomonas testing before processing for Pap smear. For each specimen, use a new pair of clean gloves.
2. Vortex ThinPrep/PreservCyt vial 3 to 10 seconds. Within 1 minute of vortexing:
A. Transfer 1 mL of specimen into the Aptima Specimen Transfer Tube using a disposable transfer pipette or a pipette tip containing a filter (aerosol barrier or hydrophobic plug).
B. Process only 1 ThinPrep and transfer tube set at a time.
C. Recap Aptima Specimen Transfer Tube tightly and gently invert 3 times to mix.
3. Label Aptima transfer tube with appropriate label.
4. Use remainder of ThinPrep specimen for Pap testing.
5. Transport and store specimen transport tube at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 30 days of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | APTIMA VIAL | |
| Frozen | 180 days | APTIMA VIAL | |
| Ambient | APTIMA VIAL | ||
Clinical Information
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a protozoan parasite that commonly infects the genital tract of men and women. It is now considered to be the most common curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) agent, with an estimated 3.7 million infected individuals in the United States.(1-4) Although up to 70% of infected individuals are asymptomatic, infections may be associated with vaginitis, urethritis, and cervicitis in women, and urethritis and prostatitis in men.(3) Patients that are infected with T vaginalis have an increased risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, while infections in pregnant women are associated with premature labor, low-birth-weight offspring, premature rupture of membranes, and posthysterectomy/postabortion infection.(3)
Symptoms of T vaginalis overlap considerably with other sexually transmitted infections; therefore, laboratory diagnosis is required for definitive diagnosis. The most commonly used method for detection is microscopic examination of a wet-mount preparation of vaginal secretions. However, this method has only 35% to 80% sensitivity compared with culture.(5) Culture also suffers from relatively low sensitivity (38%-82%) when compared to molecular methods.(5) Culture is also technically challenging and takes 5 to 7 days to complete. Molecular methods, such as the Aptima T vaginalis assay, offer the highest sensitivity and specificity for detection of trichomoniasis. The Aptima test utilizes target capture, transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), and hybridization protection assay (HPA) technologies for detection of T vaginalis ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Reference Values
Negative
Interpretation
A positive result is considered indicative of current or recent Trichomonas vaginalis infection (trichomoniasis).
Clinical Reference
1. Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W Jr: Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2004;36(1):6-10
2. Soper D: Trichomoniasis: under control or undercontrolled? Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004;190(1):281-290
3. Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention: Trichomoniasis-CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Reviewed February 27, 2020. Accessed September 10, 2020. Available at www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm
4. Schwebke JR, Burgess D: Trichomoniasis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2004;17(4):794-803
5. Wendel KA, Erbelding EJ, Gaydos CA, Rompalo AM: Trichomonas vaginalis polymerase chain reaction compared with standard diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for detection and treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis. Clin Infect Dis. 2002;35(5):576-580
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
1 to 4 daysTest Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87661
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TVRNA | Trichomonas vaginalis Amplified RNA | 46154-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SRC29 | SOURCE: | 31208-2 |
| 34810 | Trichomonas vaginalis amplified RNA | 46154-1 |
Method Name
Transcription Mediated Amplification
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
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