Abstract: Tests for elevated pH and volatile amines in aqueous fluids are disclosed, including tests useful in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and in other biological conditions. By using formulated indicators and indicators held in matrices that are permeable to gas but not to liquid, the tests provide clear and sharp transitions detectable by visual or machine-readable means rather than by subjective judgments such as small gradations in color or olfactory determinations. The tests lend themselves readily to iconic readouts of the test indications and to the inclusion of positive and negative controls.

Abstract: Tests for elevated pH and volatile amines in aqueous fluids are disclosed, including tests useful in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and in other biological conditions. By using formulated indicators and indicators held in matrices that are permeable to gas but not to liquid, the tests provide clear and sharp transitions detectable by visual or machine-readable device rather than by subjective judgments such as small gradations in color or olfactory determinations. The tests lend themselves readily to iconic readouts of the test indications and to the inclusion of positive and negative controls.

Abstract: Tests for elevated pH and volatile amines in aqueous fluids are disclosed, including tests useful in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and in other biological conditions. By using formulated indicators and indicators held in matrices that are permeable to gas but not to liquid, the tests provide clear and sharp transitions detectable by visual or machine-readable means rather than by subjective judgments such as small gradations in color or olfactory determinations. The tests lend themselves readily to iconic readouts of the test indications and to the inclusion of positive and negative controls.

Abstract: Tests for elevated pH and volatile amines in aqueous fluids are disclosed, including tests useful in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and in other biological conditions. By using formulated indicators and indicators held in matrices that are permeable to gas but not to liquid, the tests provide clear and sharp transitions detectable by visual or machine-readable means rather than by subjective judgments such as small gradations in color or olfactory determinations. The tests lend themselves readily to iconic readouts of the test indications and to the inclusion of positive and negative controls.

Abstract: Tests for elevated pH and volatile amines in aqueous fluids are disclosed, including tests useful in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and in other biological conditions. By using formulated indicators and indicators held in matrices that are permeable to gas but not to liquid, the tests provide clear and sharp transitions detectable by visual or machine-readable means rather than by subjective judgments such as small gradations in color or olfactory determinations. The tests lend themselves readily to iconic readouts of the test indications and to the inclusion of positive and negative controls.

Abstract: The presence of an enzymatically active hydrolase in a fluid sample is detected by contacting the sample with a solid-phase conjugate which is susceptible to cleavage by the hydrolase, and simultaneously or shortly thereafter, contacting the sample with an indicator which undergoes a detectable change upon the action of a reporter group. The reporter group is part of the conjugate and is liberated from it either partly or entirely by the action of the hydrolase. The indicator is susceptible to action by the reporter group only upon decoupling of the reporter group from the remainder of the conjugate, the decoupling occurring either in part or entirely upon action of the hydrolase. Also provided by this invention are various forms of a dry, self-contained test device which contains the conjugate described above plus the indicator and all other reagents and components necessary to achieve a detectable indication of the presence or absence of a catalytically active hydrolase.

Abstract: A method and specimen slide for obtaining fecal occult blood specimens. The slide includes first and second portions each including front and back panels. The first portion includes one or more apertures formed through its front panel which exposes a reagent-carrying sheet and the back panel of the first portion includes a flap that may be opened for the application of additional reagents to the back of the sheet. The second portion includes an aperture in its front panel and a flap formed in its back panel. A sheet is carried between the front and back panels of the second portion onto which a fecal specimen may be smeared. The sheet includes pre-perforated removable portions that may be easily accessed through the flap. As an alternative embodiment, the back panel of the second portion may include a removable tab to which is fixed the specimen sheet. The tab and specimen sheet may be removed for easy access to the removable portions of the specimen sheet.

Abstract: A method and device for separating blood into fluid and cellular fractions for diagnostic tests. The whole blood is introduced to a carrier containing a layer of carbohydrate which results in the rapid separation of the fluid from the cellular fractions. In a preferred embodiment, the device is fabricated in a sandwich design containing layers of carbohydrate and reagent material between two layers of plastic.