Trichomonas, Candida, Gardnerella STI test

Information about the Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis home medical test

The test is a certified home medical diagnostic device for the detection of three microorganisms that commonly cause genital infections in men and women.

Tested microorganisms are:

• Trichomonas vaginalis causing trichomoniasis (trich),
• Candida albicans causing candidiasis (thrush),
• Gardnerella vaginalis causing bacterial vaginosis (BV infection).

Testing is easy, painless and safe. You only need to collect a few drops of urine, mix it with a buffer and add the suspension to the testing device. Then you wait 15 minutes for the result.

Testing kit includes everything you need to complete the analysis by yourself at home.

Why testing for Gardnerella vaginalis, a pathogen initiating bacterial vaginosis?

Gardnerella vaginalis is an anaerobic bacteria with an evident role in the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV),¹ the most common vaginal disorder among women of reproductive age.²

Research suggests that bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis initiates bacterial vaginosis, after being sexually transmitted.¹ G. vaginalis is the first specie that attaches to the vaginal epithelium and enables the formation of a biofilm which alters healthy vaginal microbiota leading to bacterial vaginosis.³

Gardnerella vaginalis infects both men and women. When diagnosing BV infection, it is, therefore, beneficial to test for the presence of Gardnerella vaginalis.

Why testing for Candida albicans, a yeast causing candidiasis (thrush)?

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is estimated to be the second most common cause of vaginitis after bacterial vaginosis. Candida albicans accounts for 85% to 90% of cases.⁴

Candidiasis is a common yeast infection in men and women. Although it can be a part of a healthy microbiota and not causing any harm⁵, the problem occurs if it overgrows, often when the individual becomes debilitated or immunocompromised.⁶

Risk factors for candidiasis are also pregnancy (cases with increased levels of oestrogens), diabetes, and systemic antibiotics.⁴

Individuals often wrongly self-diagnose the condition based on the symptoms alone. Consequently, they mistakenly choose antifungal products for vulvovaginal candidiases.⁷

Therefore it is essential to test and identify if the causing agent of infection is bacteria or yeast.

Why testing for Trichomonas vaginalis that is causing trichomoniasis (trich)?

Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease in the world.⁸ It affects both men and women but is more prevalent in women than men.⁹

Trichomoniasis is commonly associated with other sexually transmitted diseases¹. Therefore testing for trichomoniasis is crucial so that doctors can prescribe a suitable treatment.

Trichomoniasis increases the risk of obtaining other STD (e.g. syphilis, chlamydia). Trichomonas vaginalis can lead to infertility¹⁰, and pregnant women with trichomonosis are at higher risk for preterm delivery.¹¹

It is therefore essential that potential infection with Trichomonas vaginalis is identified as soon as possible to prevent potentially severe health complications.

Testing for the trichomoniasis, candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis at home

This test enables a rapid, inexpensive, and safe way to check the presence of common causing agents of genital infections.

Testing can be entirely discreet since you do it yourself, and you obtain the result in 15 minutes.

There is no need to send samples in a laboratory. The testing kit that you receive at home includes everything you need to carry out the analysis by yourself.

Important notice. You should not use the test in case there is blood in your urine (e.g. monthly bleeding, severe urinary tract infection). Blood in the urine can influence the interpretability of the results.

When to get tested for Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis?

Experts recommend testing to men and women who experience symptoms of genital infections such as itching, odour, soreness of the genitals, burning feeling and smelly discharge.

Gardnerella vaginalis and Trichomonas vaginalis transmit with sexual intercourse. Candida albicans can be present also in sexually inactive men and women.

These microorganisms cause genital infections. At the test helps determine the cause of symptoms leading to more directed and successful treatment.

How accurate is the test?

The test is very accurate. In clinical trials, the test showed correct results in 95.5% to 100% of all cases.

Above that, the test is very reliable. It has been successfully used by tens of thousands.

The test is manufactured according to ISO13485 and CE certified in Germany by the notification body 0123.

How to perform the test?

Testing is straightforward, safe and comfortable. You only need to follow step-by-step instructions for use that come with the testing kit, and you will complete the analysis instantly.

You carry out the analysis in three steps:

1. collect a urine sample,
2. mix the sample with a buffer into suspension,
3. add the suspension to the testing device and wait 15 minutes for the result.

Individuals usually need 1-2 minutes to complete the test with additional 15-minute waiting time for the result.

You should read instructions for use before you start the testing procedure. Individuals usually do not have difficulties using the test. Nevertheless, if you find it difficult, we are here to help you. Contact our customer service.

The usefulness of the results

Results of the test are useful as the first information about the potential infection with:

1. Trichomonas vaginalis that causes trichomoniasis (trich).
2. Candida albicans that causes candidiasis (thrush).
3. Gardnerella vaginalis that causes bacterial vaginosis (bv infection).

Results are interpreted visually as positive, negative or invalid for every microorganism separately.

In the case of a positive result: there is a high probability that you are infected.

Do not panic. An infection with every of three tested microorganisms is curable. Immediately consult your doctor, who will decide on further steps.

In the case of a negative result: there is a high probability that you are not infected. If symptoms of infection persist, you should consult your physician.

In case of an invalid result: the Sanotest Quality Guarantee applies. Please contact us.

Limitations of the test

With many advantages of this test, there are also some limitations you should consider before ordering the test.

Important notice.

You should not use the test in case there is any blood in your urine (e.g. period, severe urinary tract infection). The blood in urine can influence the interpretability of the results.

You should not establish a diagnosis on your own and solely based on this test.

Although the test is highly accurate, you should not establish a diagnosis and conclusions about the treatment solely based on the result of this test.

The test is a screening test. You should always consult your doctor for further investigation, diagnosis, and potential treatment.

The test is for single use and one person only.

You should never combine the urine samples. Only one person should use the test. Once the analysis is complete, you cannot reuse any parts of the testing kit.

Questions and answers about the test

In the following are summarized questions individuals frequently ask us about the test. Perhaps you find the answers useful.

If you have other questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Please send us your question by email to self-testing@sanotest.co.uk.

Is the delivery of the test discreet?

Yes, delivery is entirely discreet. We send out the tests packaged in unmarked packaging. Nobody except you will know what is inside the package.

Is the test suitable for men?

Yes, this test suitable for men. You need to collect a small sample of urine.

What time is best to collect the urine sample?

For the best results, we recommend you to collect the first-morning urine, since the concentration of microorganism is higher in the morning urine.

Literature:

¹ Schwebke J. R., et al., 2014. Role of Gardnerella vaginalis in the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis: a conceptual model. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2014(210(3)), 338-43.
² Machado A., Cerca N., 2015. Influence of Biofilm Formation by Gardnerella vaginalis and Other Anaerobes on Bacterial Vaginosis. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2015(212(12)), 1856-61.
³ Castro, J., Machado, D. & Cerca, N. Unveiling the role of Gardnerella vaginalis in polymicrobial Bacterial Vaginosis biofilms: the impact of other vaginal pathogens living as neighbors. ISME J 13, 1306–1317 (2019).
⁴ Martin Lopez J. E. (2015). Candidiasis (vulvovaginal). BMJ clinical evidence, 2015, 0815.
⁵ Bradford, L. L., & Ravel, J. (2017). The vaginal mycobiome: A contemporary perspective on fungi in women's health and diseases. Virulence, 8(3), 342–351.
⁶ Spampinato, C., & Leonardi, D. (2013). Candida infections, causes, targets, and resistance mechanisms: traditional and alternative antifungal agents. BioMed research international, 2013, 204237.
⁷ Ferris DG, Dekle C, Litaker MS. Women's use of over-the-counter antifungal medications for gynecologic symptoms. J Fam Pract. 1996;42(6):595-600.
⁸ Menezes, C. B., Frasson, A. P., & Tasca, T. (2016). Trichomoniasis - are we giving the deserved attention to the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide? Microbial cell (Graz, Austria), 3(9), 404–419.
⁹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017. Trichomoniasis – CDC Fact Sheet. Accessible at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm (12. 5. 2020)
¹⁰ el-Sharkawy IM, Hamza SM, el-Sayed MK. Correlation between trichomoniasis vaginalis and female infertility. J Egypt Soc Parasitol. 2000;30(1):287-294.
¹¹ Klebanoff MA, Carey JC, Hauth JC, et al. Failure of metronidazole to prevent preterm delivery among pregnant women with asymptomatic Trichomonas vaginalis infection. N Engl J Med. 2001;345(7):487