Quidel Corporation

Aulena Chaudhuri

Paul J Lawrence

Terrence J Andreasen

Mark A Hughes

The release by trichomonads of a hydrolase that hydrolyzes a narrowly defined class of substrates at a low pH without interference from hydrolases that are unrelated to trichomoniasis is the basis for a selective diagnostic assay for trichomoniasis that measures hydrolysis of any of these substrates by vaginal fluid at a low pH. Selective assays for trichomoniasis are also obtained by removing particulate matter from a sample of vaginal fluid to extract a fraction devoid of particles greater than a selected size, and where desired, combining the extracted fraction with any of certain specified hydrolase inhibitors, then testing the fraction for enzymatic hydrolase activity. These qualities of trichomoniasis are the basis for a series of diagnostic tests and test devices that produce results that are detectable by visual and other means with a high degree of accuracy.

Assays for trichomonal and other hydrolases

Laminated test devices in which positive results are detected by the appearance of a symbol on the surface of the device due to a color change in an indicator in the device are improved by placing the indicator lamina on one side of a light-transmissive substrate sheet and a pigment lamina on the other side, the indicator lamina forming the icon and the pigment lamina forming the background, the pigment being the color of the indicator prior to the color change. This arrangement reduces false positive readings by obscuring the outlines of the symbol prior to the color change. False negative readings are reduced by further changes in the arrangement of the laminae.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Aulena Chaudhuri