Membrane filter assay for detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in epidemiological studies.
A membrane filter assay is described for detection of heat-labile toxin (LT) production by Escherichia coli. Bacterial colonies were isolated on a membrane filter which was then incubated on an agar medium containing anti-cholera toxin. LT produced by bacterial colonies diffused through the membrane filter, complexed with the antiserum, and formed a zone of precipitation in the agar. Requirements for reagents and materials were simple. The membrane filter assay showed good agreement with both the ganglioside-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the DNA-DNA hybridisation assay and may prove to be an important technique for the study of the epidemiology of enterotoxigenic E coli in developing countries.
Vadivelu
J
J
Lloyd
B J
BJ
Drasar
B S
BS
Feachem
R G
RG
Cox
N P
NP
Harrison
T J
TJ
D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004768:Enterotoxins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C005062:acetylcellulose; D002482:Cellulose