Serological grouping of meningococci and encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae strains by latex agglutination.
The latex agglutination method, utilizing antibody-coated latex particles, was adapted for serogrouping of Neisseria meningitidis and serotyping of encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae strains from agar plates. It was found to give more clear-cut results than conventional slide agglutination. A 100% agreement with the antiserum agar method was found for all strains isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Many meningococcal strains from nasopharyngeal carriers are autoagglutinable, but some of these gave a positive reaction with the group B latex reagent, although they were negative by the antiserum agar method. The latex agglutination method has several advantages over others: the lack of autoagglutination, easy performance, easy interpretation, and very low consumption of antisera.
D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000382:microbiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology; D012703:Serotyping / Q000379:methods*