Detection of slime production by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus: an assessment of two methods.
The detection of slime can be helpful in determining the diagnostic value of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). Here, we have made a comparative study of two phenotypic methods of slime production test from 28 clinically significant blood culture isolates of CNS. A total 16 out of 28 isolates (57.1%) were positive for slime by either of the tests, whereas only 5 out of 28 isolates (17.9%) were positive for slime by both the tests. The tube method detected slime in significantly more number of isolates than the spectrophotometric method (14 vs. 7; p<0.0483279). A weak correlation was found between the tube method and the spectrophotometric method (rs=0.2474). The tube test was found to be superior to the spectrophotometric test in terms of sensitivity, ease of performance and interpretation, and cost effectiveness.
Karthik
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Department of Microbiology Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry.
Bhattacharya
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Harish
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BN
Parija
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SC
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D018441:Biofilms; D003030:Coagulase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D003030:Coagulase