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.