Abstract: Objective To screen primers used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis. Methods Three pairs of PCR primer reported in the literatures (TVA5-TVA6, TV1-TV2 and TVK3-TVK7) were screened. For each PCR, four components, including primers, Mg²⁺, dNTPs and Taq polymerase, were optimized using Taguchi methods to determine the optimal PCR conditions. With the optimal conditions, the sensitivities of three PCR were compared. Vaginal swabs were collected to detect Trichomonas vaginalis by culture and PCR, and the PCR with highest sensitivity was evaluated. Results All three PCR were of high specificity, and the PCR with primers of TVK3-TVK7 had the highest sensitivity. Of 25 clinical vaginal swabs, T. vaginalis was detected in 7 samples by the culture, however, it was detected in 8 samples by the PCR. All culture-positive samples were also positive by PCR. Conclusions The PCR with the primers of TVK3-TVK7 is highly sensitive and specific, which could be useful to detect T. vaginalis in vaginal swab samples.

Key words: Trichomonas vaginalis, Polymerase chain reaction