Abstract
Background
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a biomarker of recent semen exposure. There is
currently only limited information on whether topical vaginal products affect PSA
assays. We investigated this question using various dilutions of several vaginal products
(lubricants and spermicides) and the Abacus ABAcard for PSA detection.
Study Design
Pooled semen controls and various dilutions of nonoxynol-9 (N9), carboxymethyl cellulose
(CMC), Replens, Gynol 2, K-Y jelly, Astroglide, Surgilube, combined with pooled semen
dilutions, were tested for PSA using the Abacus ABAcard.
Results
N9 (2% with saline) and CMC did not appear to affect the results of testing with the
ABAcard, but not all semen dilutions were tested. The other products (including Replens
and Gynol, which is 2% N9 with propylene glycol, K-Y, Astroglide and Surgilube) at
some of the dilutions tested either affected or gave invalid results with PSA testing
using the ABAcard. Both Gynol 2 and K-Y at 1:10 dilution gave false-positive results.
Conclusions
Some vaginal products affect PSA results obtained by using the semiquantitative ABAcard.
In vivo confirmation is necessary to further optimize PSA detection when topical vaginal
products are present.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 06, 2012
Accepted:
October 31,
2012
Received in revised form:
October 17,
2012
Received:
September 14,
2012
Footnotes
☆The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
☆☆Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
