The molecular diagnostic test has been optimised for the qualitative detection of the protozoan parasite T. vaginalis in both female and male patients, using real-time polymerase chain reaction methods to analyse clinician-collected vaginal swabs, endocervical swabs and urine samples.
Configured for use with the QIAsymphony SP/AS and Rotor-Gene Q instruments, the test is suitable for assessing both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, and can aid the rapid diagnosis of a bacteria responsible for 170 million to 190 million sexually-transmitted infections each year.
Trichomoniasis is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, infertility, postoperative infections, cervical neoplasia and an increased probability of HIV transmission. It is widely underdiagnosed due to a lack of routine testing and the low sensitivity of current diagnostic methods.
Michael Nugent, vice-president and head of infection and immune diagnostics at Qiagen, said: "This molecular test offers timely and sensitive detection of T. vaginalis in a wide range of sample types from both male and female patients."