The Pap Says Trichomoniasis: Should You Treat?

Although the Pap smear was designed to detect squamous intraepithelial lesions, it also yields microbiologic information, such as the presence of trichomoniasis. This study was . . .

Although the Pap smear was designed to detect squamous intraepithelial lesions, it also yields microbiologic information, such as the presence of trichomoniasis. This study was undertaken to determine the reliability of trichomoniasis findings on Pap smear.

Examiners collected cervicovaginal samples from 1008 randomly selected women at urban gynecology clinics in Brazil. The presence of Trichomonas vaginalis was determined by Pap smear, direct wet smear, culture, and polymerase chain reaction examination of each sample; PCR identification of trichomonas DNA was used as the standard. Results of each test were evaluated by examiners blinded to the other test results.

PCR testing confirmed 61 cases of trichomoniasis (prevalence, 6%). Wet smear i…

Reviewing Author

Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP