[Comparison of rapid latex and conventional methods for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus].
Rapid latex agglutination assay, staphaurex (Wellcome Diagnostics) was compared with the tube coagulase, thermo-stable nuclease, deoxyribonuclease and mannitol fermentation test for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 277 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 201 Staphylococcus epidermidis, and 25 Staphylococcus saprophyticus were tested. The results showed that sensitivities were: staphaurex, 99.6%; rabbit plasma, 99.6%; human plasma, 99.2%; thermostable nuclease, 100%; deoxyribonuclease, 100%; mannitol fermentation, 98.9%; as for specificities results showed: staphaurex, 96.6%; rabbit plasma 100%; human plasma, 100%; thermo-stable nuclease, 98.7%; deoxyribonuclease 95.7%; mannitol fermentation, 91.1%; respectively. In our study, staphaurex is recommended because it is simple to operate, save in time and economic in cost.
Chen
C H
CH
Division of Clinical Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Chou
M Y
MY
D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011817:Rabbits; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*