[Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis with direct immunofluorescence assay].
OBJECTIVE
To detect Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) by direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) and discuss its clinical significance.


METHODS
The parasites at a concentration of 3 x 10(5) cells/L were fixed by acetone on slides which were then blocked by 1% BSA (bovine serum albumin) or 10% BSA or 10% NCS (newborn calf serum) respectively, incubated with different dilution of polyclonal goat anti-Tv IgG (1:20-1:2,560) for different incubation time (15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 min). 120 clinical vaginal specimens were examined by direct immunofluorescence assay, the wet mount method and the in vitro cultivation.


RESULTS
Blocked by 1% or 10% BSA, incubated at 37 degrees C for 45 min with a titer 1:160 of polyclonal antibody were the optimal conditions for direct immunofluorescence assay. Its sensitivity and specificity were 87.9% and 98.6% respectively in comparison with the in vitro cultivation method.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct immunofluorescence assay is a useful alternative to the wet mount method which shows a lower sensitivity.
Tian
Yong-hong
YH
Institute of Family Planning, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030.
Xiong
Cheng-liang
CL
Guan
Huang-tao
HT
Pang
Xue-bing
XB
Jiang
Chang-fu
CF
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006041:Goats; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000469:parasitology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan