Identification of Naegleria fowleri in fresh isolates of environmental amoebae using a staphylococcal coagglutination technique.
A coagglutination test using Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain 1 sensitized with specific antiserum successfully identified Naegleria fowleri in axenic and monoxenic culture by detection of a heat stable antigen released into the culture medium during growth. Strong coagglutination, visible to the naked eye, occurred within 30 sec when the sensitized reagent was mixed on a slide with medium from N. fowleri cultures. N. lovaniensis gave a weak cross-reaction which developed over one min clearly distinguishable from that of N.fowleri.N.gruberi and N. australiensis gave no reaction. The technique is proposed as part of a rapid and economical scheme for detecting N. fowleri in environmental samples very soon after primary isolation, with distinct advantages over conventional methods. Further development of the technique to detect other Naegleria spp. and the early diagnosis of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis are suggested as future applications.
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000656:Amoeba / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan