title: A modified Elek test for detection of toxigenic corynebacteria in the diagnostic laboratory.
abstract: The detection of toxigenicity among Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans strains is the most important test for the microbiological diagnosis of diphtheria. Difficulties with current methods, in particular the Elek test, are well documented. We therefore describe a modified Elek test which provides an accurate result after only 16 h of incubation, in contrast to 48 h for the conventional test.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory and Systemic Infection Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Engler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Glushkevich
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Mazurova
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Efstratiou
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004167:Diphtheria Toxin / Q000032:analysis*; D011233:Precipitin Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004167:Diphtheria Toxin