Development of a chip-based multiplexed immunoassay using liposomal nanovesicles and its application in the detection of pathogens causing female lower genital tract infections

摘要

Objective Cervicovaginitis is a highly prevalent disease that is a burden on healthcare globally. Immediate and adequate treatment can eradicate the infection and block subsequent complications. The feasibility of achip-based multiplexed immunoassay using liposomal nanovesicles was tested. Materials and Methods A multiplexed immunoassay chip containing five antibodies for five pathogens ( Chlamydia trachomatis , Escherichia coli , Neisseria gonorrhoeae , Streptococcus agalactiae , and Candida albicans ) was established and tested. Four patients with spiking of candidiasis were enrolled. The difference between positive and negative readings was evaluated using the paired Student t test. Results The detection threshold of Candida in this microarray was 100,000?CFU/mL in a vaginal sample, and the time required for the whole procedure was 3 hours. The testing of the four patients showed 100% for both sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion This microarray chip was a rapid, easy, inexpensive and sensitive tool for detecting female lower genital tract Candida infection in a one-time vaginal sampling process, although the data on the four other pathogens were still unavailable. A larger population study is encouraged to test the validity of this multiplexed immunoassay chip.