Fabrication of nanocoated fibers for self-diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common disease which causes preterm birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes linked with reproductive tract infection. Here, we report development of active fiber-based materials for early self-detection detection of BV. The proposed approach relies on the visual detection and measurement of the enzyme sialidase, which is present in elevated concentrations in vaginal fluid of BV patients. The developed colorimetric biosensor can detect sialidase in small droplets of vaginal fluid. Our experiments show that colorimetric sialidase substrate can be readily and with high yield immobilized on polymeric fibers coated by a nanolayer of a cationic polymer. Thus prepared fibers change color from white to bright blue in the presence of sialidase. The existing tests for BV are performed either in a lab setting or in a physician's office. In the proposed method, nanofiber colorimetric sensors can be incorporated into female panty liners so to enable the patient to monitor her BV status without visiting physician's office. It is expected that the proposed approach will lead to a new generation of fiber-based biosensors incorporated into everyday use household items. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.