title: Development of a chip-based multiplexed immunoassay using liposomal nanovesicles and its application in the detection of pathogens causing female lower genital tract infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cervicovaginitis is a highly prevalent disease that is a burden on healthcare globally. Immediate and adequate treatment can eradicate the infection and block subsequent complications. The feasibility of achip-based multiplexed immunoassay using liposomal nanovesicles was tested.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multiplexed immunoassay chip containing five antibodies for five pathogens (Chlamydia trachomatis, Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Candida albicans) was established and tested. Four patients with spiking of candidiasis were enrolled. The difference between positive and negative readings was evaluated using the paired Student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The detection threshold of Candida in this microarray was 100,000 CFU/mL in a vaginal sample, and the time required for the whole procedure was 3 hours. The testing of the four patients showed 100% for both sensitivity and specificity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This microarray chip was a rapid, easy, inexpensive and sensitive tool for detecting female lower genital tract Candida infection in a one-time vaginal sampling process, although the data on the four other pathogens were still unavailable. A larger population study is encouraged to test the validity of this multiplexed immunoassay chip.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Da Chien General Hospital, Miaoli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Hsiang
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Tien-Yu
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Tsung-Shan
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Tsou
authors.forename: Wen-Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kuan-Chin
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuan-Yi
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Tien-Jui
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chia-Hsuan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Cheng-Deng
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Chien-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Peng-Hui
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000175:diagnosis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008081:Liposomes; D046228:Microarray Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D049329:Nanostructures; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D008081:Liposomes