Comparison of Wet Mount Microscopy and Giemsa Staining to PCR in the Diagnosis of Vaginal Trichomoniasis in a Tertiary Level Hospital of Bangladesh.

Trichomonas vaginalis (T vaginalis) is the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection of the reproductive age group, which may lead to various complications, if left untreated. This study aimed to diagnose Trichomonas vaginalis infection by different diagnostic procedures and to evaluate the efficacy of different diagnostic procedures. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 102 women with vaginal discharge at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) from July 2019 to December 2020. Three ectocervical swabs were collected from each patient. Saline wet mount microscopy, giemsa staining and PCR were performed for each patient. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Excel 2007, statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. The PCR assay detected Trichomonas vaginalis positivity in 6(5.9%) of 102 patients, followed by Giemsa staining 4.9% and Wet mount examination 2.9%. Wet mount microscopy showed less sensitivity 33.33%, but high specificity 98.95%, 66.67% positive predictive value, 95.96% negative predictive value and accuracy 95.09%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of Giemsa staining were 66.67%, 98.96%, 80.0%, 97.94% and 97.06% respectively. Statistical significance was observed when both WMM and Giemsa staining were compared to gold standard test PCR. In resource limited settings, a wet mount is a good option for diagnosis of T vaginalis infection as giemsa staining requires heavy T vaginalis infection to be positive. But wherever facilities are available, PCR should be performed.

Screening of Trichoderma Isolates as a Biological Control Agent against Ceratocystis paradoxa Causing Pineapple Disease of Sugarcane.

In this study, dual culture, poison agar, and direct methods were used to assess the ability of Trichoderma virens IMI-392430, T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431, T. harzianum IMI-392432, T. harzianum IMI-392433, and T. harzianum IMI-392434 to control Ceratocystis paradoxa, which causes the pineapple disease of sugarcane. The highest percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) values were observed with T. harzianum IMI-392432 using two dual culture methods, 63.80% in Method I and 80.82% in Method II. The minimum colony overgrowth time was observed with T. harzianum IMI-392432 and the maximum was observed with T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431. Different concentrations of different day-old metabolites of Trichoderma isolates were tested against mycelial growth of C. paradoxa. The highest PIRG (84.685%) exhibited at 80% concentration of 30-day-old metabolites of T. harzianum IMI-392432 using the modified bilayer poison agar method. In the direct assay method the maximum mycelial growth weight (PIGW) was observed at the same concentration and the same day-old metabolites of T. harzianum IMI-392432. This study showed that Trichoderma isolates have a good antagonistic effect on C. paradoxa mycelial growth and T. harzianum IMI-392432 has the most potential to control the pineapple disease pathogen.