ABSTRACT
This study compared 4 different diagnostic methods for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal swab specimens from women attending a hospital in Dohuk in Iraq. A total of 425 vaginal swabs were obtained from women complaining of vaginal discharge associated with vaginitis, cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. The results showed that 10 [2.4%] swabs were positive for T. vaginalis by wet smear preparation, 15 [3.5%] by haematoxylin-eosin stained smear, 17 [4.0%] by Papanicolaou stain and 23 [5.4%] using Diamond modified culture. The rate varied significantly by age and was highest in young women aged 20-25 years [7.6%] and lowest in the age group 36-40 years [2.2%]. The highest rate of infection with T. vaginalis was detected by Diamond modified culture