Multiplex PCR assay targeting Trichomonas vaginalis: need for biological evaluation and interpretation

•Majority of the T. vaginalis–positive pharyngeal specimens contained actually T. tenax DNA.•Specificity of primers used in multiplex PCR commercialized kits must be tested and confirmed.•Roles of T. vaginalis in pharyngeal sites need to be clarify. In a retrospective study, we used sequencing to investigate Trichomonas vaginalis-positive specimens (genital, rectal and pharyngeal) with the Allplex™ STI Essential or the Anyplex™-II-STI-7 assays. Our results confirm that majority of T. vaginalis–positive genital and pharyngeal specimens contained T. vaginalis DNA and actually T. tenax DNA, respectively.