Evaluation of an IgG cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay for the detection of anti-cysteine proteinase antibodies in asymptomatic trichomoniasis patients

ABSTRACT

All isolates of T. vaginalis release cysteine proteinases proteolytic enzymes that are shed into the vagina or culture medium. Cystatin had been successfully used as a capture agent in ELISA to detect cysteine proteinase antibodies without the need for purified proteinases. ELISA was evaluated in comparison with wet mount microscopy and culture techniques. IgG cystatin capture ELISA proved to be a sensitive and highly specific [100%] assay that could rapidly detect anti-cysteine proteinase antibodies in both vaginal washouts and sera of asymptomatic patients with a sensitivity of 100% and 86.7%, respectively. A defined discrimination between sero-positive and sero-negative individuals was markedly observed for ELISA-vaginal washouts providing a more conclusive diagnosis by this technique