Evaluation of the OSOM Trichomonas rapid test for detection of Trichomoniasis vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is estimated to be the most widely prevalent non viral sexually transmitted infection in the world. Wet mount [WM] microscopy is the most common diagnostic method although its sensitivity is not satisfactory. The aim of the present study is to compare the diagnostic value of OSOM Trichomonas rapid test [OSOM Trich] with conventional diagnostic techniques and PCR for T. vaginalis infection. 128 samples were collected from symptomatic females. Samples were subjected to WM examination, culture, PCR and OSOM Trich test [an immunochromatography based test] for the detection of T. vaginalis. Of the 128 examined samples, PCR detected 14 positive samples, culture detected 13 samples, WM detected 9 samples, while OSOM Trich detected 12 of the PCR positive samples plus one false positive case. Sensitivity of culture, WM and OSOM Trich were 92.9%, 64.3% and 85.7% respectively, while specificity was 100%, 100% and 99.1%, respectively. OSOM Trich showed slightly lower sensitivity and specificity than culture, yet proved simple, rapid with no need for an equipped laboratory or a trained technician. The test is also economically acceptable, it can be used as a spot routine testing method for improving detection of T. vaginalis cases

Ischemia modified albumin in patients with acute cardiac ischemia

Differentiating transient myocardial ischemia or angina from non-cardiac causes of chest pain is a major diagnostic challenge. Cardiac troponin I [cTnI] is sensitive and specific for the detection of myocardial damage but may not rise during reversible myocardial ischemia. Ischemia Modified Albumin [IMA] has recently been shown to be a sensitive and early biochemical marker of ischemia. We studied eighty-five patients presenting to the emergency department [ED] within 3 hours of acute chest pain. Blood samples were taken for IMA and cardiac troponin I, at presentation and then after 12 hours. Patients underwent standardized diagnostic procedures, and treatment. Results of IMA, cTnI were correlated with final diagnoses of non-ischaemic chest pain [NICP], unstable angina [UA] and acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. The sensitivity and specificity of IMA for the detection of myocardial ischemia were evaluated by ROC curve analysis. The mean absorbance value [ABSU] of IMA was significantly higher in patients with UA [0.6610.14 and 0.70 +/- 0.18] and those with AMI [0.70 +/- 0.19 and 0.74 +/- 0.22] when compared to individuals with NICP [0.48 +/- 0.11 and 0.50 +/- 0.13] [p < 0.001], both at admission and at the late 12 hours samples respectively. However, the mean ABSU value of IMA showed no significant difference between patients with UA and AMI [P > 0.05] both at admission and after 12 hours. When ROC curve was constructed to evaluate IMA-ABSU in NICP patients compared to all acute coronary syndrome [ACS] patients, the area under the curve was 0.85 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-0.94], immediately after admission, and at cutoff value of 0.51 ABSU, sensitivity and specificity were 86% and 64% respectively. Nearly, the same results were obtained when NICP patients was compared with AMI patients and UA patients separately. While when we compared UA and AMI groups, the area under the curve was 0.6 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45-0.74], indicating a poor discrimination between these two groups. CTnI values showed a non-significant difference between patients with UA [1.6 +/- 0.7mnicrog/L] and NICP [1.3 +/- 0.3 microg/L], [P>0.05] at the time of admission, but after 12 hours, cTnI values were significantly higher in patients with UA [1.8 +/- 0.6microg/L] than NICP [1.3 +/- 0.5 microg/L], [P < 0.05]. On the other hand, patients with AMI showed significant increase of cTnI both at admission [1.8 +/- 0.8 microg/L] and 12 hours later [2.9 +/- 0.9 microg/L] when compared to NICP group [p < 0.01 and 0.001 respectively]. IMA is highly sensitive for the early diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in patients presenting with symptoms of acute chest pain