POLYMERASE-CHAIN-REACTION AMPLIFICATION OF TRICHOMONAS-VAGINALIS DNA FROM PAPANICOLAOU-STAINED SMEARS

DNA from Papanicolaou-stained smears was successfully amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate if it could be used for retrospective genome studies, such as for the detection of Tricho monas vaginalis. DNA was isolated from 20 archival Papanicolaou-staine d smears (19 cervical and I seminal fluid samples) and purified by tre atment with proteinase K, phenol/chloroform, and ethanol. The method o f recovering DNA from the Papanicolaou-stained smear is very important in the successful amplification of Trichomonas DNA in archival cytolo gical smears. We used a specific sequence and successfully amplified D NA in cytological smears of T. vaginalis using PCR. We conclude that t he diagnostic accuracy of the detection of T. vaginalis in cervical sm ears is enhanced by using a combination of a Papanicolaou-stained smea r and PCR, (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss,Inc.