We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

MEDMIRA

MedMira Inc. is a biotechnology company that researches, develops, manufactures, and commercializes rapid diagnostics... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Quick, Affordable Finger-Prick Test Diagnoses Common STI in Five Minutes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 28 Mar 2023

Trichomonas vaginalis, commonly referred to as trich, is a sexually transmitted infection that is highly prevalent but often overlooked. More...

Despite being more prevalent than chlamydia or gonorrhea, around 70% of those infected with trich show no symptoms. Nevertheless, even asymptomatic cases of trich are linked to various negative health outcomes, such as increased vulnerability to HIV, prostate cancer in men, and infertility and pregnancy complications in women. Fortunately, trich can be easily treated with the drug metronidazole, provided that it is properly diagnosed. However, trich is frequently only diagnosed when symptoms manifest, including genital itchiness and burning sensation during urination. The current testing methods used to diagnose trich are primarily geared toward women and involve a vaginal swab. These tests require specialized equipment and trained personnel and may take time to generate results. Recently approved alternative methods by the Food and Drug Administration have similar limitations.

Researchers at Washington State University (Pullman, WA, USA) have developed a finger-prick test for diagnosing trich that is both affordable and fast. The test can deliver results in just five minutes and can be produced for under USD 20. To conduct the test, the researchers utilized MedMira Inc.’s (Halifax, NS, Canada) diagnostic platform which detects the antibody to the target protein in a drop of blood. Specifically, the test is designed to identify the antibody specific to trich, which is produced by both men and women when they are infected. The researchers had previously discovered this biomarker, an alpha-actinin protein called ACT::SOE3 unique to the organism, in an earlier study.

The test results for trich are displayed in a window similar to COVID-19 and pregnancy tests, with a dot appearing if the antibody is present, indicating infection. The point-of-care diagnostic test will enable immediate treatment and cure for those who test positive, and does not require specialized equipment or training to administer. In developing the test, the researchers aimed to meet the World Health Organization's "ASSURED" standards for disease detection, which require a test to be affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid, robust, equipment-free, and deliverable to end-users. Since trich is a global problem, with an estimated 156 million new cases reported annually, the researchers hope their test can be utilized in many low-resource countries, particularly in places like Africa, where trich is suspected to contribute to the spread of HIV.

“We know a lot about the biology of this organism,” said John Alderete, WSU researcher and the study’s lead author who has been working for years to improve testing for trich and make it more accessible. “There probably will never be a vaccine for trich simply because the organism is well equipped to evade our immune responses. But I’d argue we don’t need a vaccine. We just need to diagnose people, and once diagnosed, they can be cured.”

Related Links:
Washington State University
MedMira


Gold Member
Veterinary Hematology Analyzer
Exigo H400
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Hand-Held Immunofluorescence Analyzer
WS-Si1500
New
Integrated Biochemical & Immunological System
Biolumi CX8
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: An “evolutionary” approach to treating metastatic breast cancer could allow therapy choices to be adapted as patients’ cancer changes (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Evolutionary Clinical Trial to Identify Novel Biomarker-Driven Therapies for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer, which occurs when cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body, is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Nearly 90% of patients with metastatic cancer will... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: A real-time trial has shown that AI could speed cancer care (Photo courtesy of Campanella, et al., Nature Medicine)

AI Accurately Predicts Genetic Mutations from Routine Pathology Slides for Faster Cancer Care

Current cancer treatment decisions are often guided by genetic testing, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and not always available at leading hospitals. For patients with lung adenocarcinoma, a critical... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Researchers Dr. Lee Eun Sook and Dr. Lee Jinhyung examine the imprinting equipment used for nanodisk synthesis (Photo courtesy of KRISS)

Multifunctional Nanomaterial Simultaneously Performs Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Immune Activation

Cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, have significant limitations. These treatments not only target cancerous areas but also damage healthy tissues, causing side effects... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.