Prevalence of Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis in Pregnant Women in Havana City by an Immunologic Latex Agglutination Test

Materials and Methods

The evaluated parameters were analytic specificity (cross-reactions) and clinical sensitivity and specificity. The detection limit used was 10⁶ cells/mL for Trichomonas vaginalis and 10⁶ colony-forming units (CFU)/mL for Candida albicans.

The analytic specificity was determined by cross-reacting each type of latex with positive samples of the other agent. Cross-reaction tests used concentrations of Trichomonas vaginalis of 10⁸ cells/mL for Candida latex and Candida albicans of 10⁸ CFU/mL for Trichomonas latex. Both types of latex were evaluated against a sample with 10⁸ CFU/mL of Gardnerella vaginalis and a confirmed multiple-specimen negative control.

For the trial of clinical sensitivity and specificity, 525 clinical samples were obtained. The study was carried out in the same hospital (Hospital C) as the prevalence study, using specimens from women with a diagnosis of vaginitis attending Hospital C's laboratory. These specimens were evaluated using the kit and reference methods. For Trichomonas vaginalis, the reference method was culture in Diamond medium with observation of the parasite; for Candida albicans, the method was culture in Saboraud medium and observation of the yeast colonies.

© 2004 Medscape

Cite this: Prevalence of Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis in Pregnant Women in Havana City by an Immunologic Latex Agglutination Test - Medscape - Oct 18, 2004.