Comparison of four methods to detect Trichomonas vaginalis.

Four methods for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal secretions from 88 symptomatic patients were compared: wet-mount examination, Kupferberg liquid medium, Hirsch charcoal agar, and the Papanicolaou smear. Hirsch diphasic slants and Kupferberg medium did not significantly differ in sensitivity from direct examination of wet mounts. The Papanicolaou smear identification of trichomonads was found to be the least sensitive method evaluated.