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J. Clin. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/JCM.02486-07
Copyright (c) 2008, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved.

Stability of Trichomonas vaginalis DNA in Urine Specimens

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Department of Behavioral Science, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA; Center for AIDS Research, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: acalien{at}emory.edu.

	Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis is an important pathogen in both men and women. Culture is considered the diagnostic gold standard, although studies have shown that PCR is more sensitive than either culture or wet mount for the diagnosis of T. vaginalis infections. We sought to identify a simple method for stabilizing T. vaginalis DNA in urine samples that could be easily applied to molecular testing. The stability of T. vaginalis DNA in forty urine samples was assessed by storage for various times at either 4°C or room temperature with or without the Becton Dickinson urine preservative transport (UPT) kit. Overall, there was better stability of T. vaginalis DNA when specimens were stored at 4°C compared to 20-22°C, and when the UPT system was used. T. vaginalis DNA was stable in specimens stored without using the UPT at 4°C for about 3 days, and at room temperature for only 1 day. For specimens placed in the UPT within 24 hours (time 1, 6, and 24 hours) of collection, the DNA was stable for up to 30 days when stored at 4°C. For specimens stored at room temperature, the urine should be added to the UPT ideally within an hour of collection, and in this case the DNA remained stable for up to 30 days. When storing specimens at room temperature, a delay of 24 hours prior to adding to UPT led to an unacceptably high loss of assay sensitivity.