The TV Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Laboratory validation and service evaluation of molecular Trichomonas vaginalis testing
IRAS ID
171765
Contact name
Dawn Wilkinson
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a sexually transmitted infection. It can cause vaginal irritation and discharge in women and inflammation of the penis in men. It can also increase the risk of both getting and passing on HIV infection; cause pelvic inflammatory disease and, if acquired during pregnancy, result in premature birth. In 40% of women and 85% of men, TV has no symptoms.
New tests are available for diagnosing TV infection. These are much more accurate than the tests we are currently using (98% vs 40-60%) as they can detect tiny amounts of DNA from the TV microbes. One new test is called the ProbeTec Qx (BDQ) test (produced by Becton Dickinson) and this has been show to work well in studies led by both the manufacturer and sexual health clinics.
We would like to replace our current tests, which miss up to 30% of infections, with the new test but need to demonstrate that it works in our clinics and laboratory before making the change. We would also like to determine if there are any factors, such as age and ethnic origin, which are associated with TV infection. This will allow us to focus our testing better.
Women attending with or without symptoms will be asked if they would like to have the new TV test. The test is performed on the same sample as for gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing, so no additional sample is needed. Study participants will be informed of the result of their TV test result and offered treatment if positive. For patients with symptoms, the new test will be performed alongside standard TV tests so that we can compare the two. Patients without symptoms are not currently tested for TV.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0457
Date of REC Opinion
12 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion