Trichomoniasis, a disease caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral
sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The importance of its diagnosis lies in its ease of transmission and the absence of symptoms in most cases, as occurs in men, which have a significant role as asymptomatic carriers. The most widely used diagnostic methods are the fresh examination of vaginal or urethral secretions and molecular techniques. However, as they have some disadvantages and, sometimes, low sensitivity, new
trichomoniasis diagnostic methods are necessary.
Volatile organic compounds in clinical samples are effective in the diagnosis of different diseases. This work aimed to study, for the first time, those present in
vaginal discharge and urine of patients with Trichomonas vaginalis
infection to look for volatile
biomarkers. The results showed that volatile compounds such as
2-methyl-1-propanol and
cyclohexanone could serve as
biomarkers in
vaginal discharge samples, as well as 2-octen-1-ol and 3-nonanone in urine. Moreover, 3-hydroxy-2,4,4-trimethylpentyl 2-methylpropanoate found in
vaginal discharge, highly correlated to positive patients, is also highly related to urines of patients with
trichomoniasis. The
biomarkers described in this study might be a promising diagnostic tool. KEY POINTS: • The incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis
infection is increasing • Trichomonas vaginalis VOC study in
vaginal discharge and urine was performed • The identification of volatile
biomarkers could allow a new diagnostic method.