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Comparison of four latex kits for detection of E. coli O157
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Provincial Laboratory, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. echan@health.gov.sk.ca
Objective:
To compare four Escherichia coli O157 test kits for detection of E. coli O157:H7 isolated from clinical specimens.
Design:
One hundred two Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates obtained from stored specimens and 99 non-sorbitol fermenting enterobacteriaceae isolates from current clinical specimens were tested against four latex kits: Wellcolex, RIM, Prolex, and Oxoid. Each isolate was tested against all four kits on the same day.
Setting:
Provincial Laboratory of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Patients:
Patients from Saskatchewan with diarrhea submitted stool specimens through their family physicians to the Provincial Laboratory for detection of enteric pathogens including E. coli O157:H7.
Results:
The sensitivity and specificity of each test kit were: Wellcolex 100%, 99%; RIM 100%, 99%; Prolex 99%, 100%; Oxoid 100%, 100%. The Prolex kit failed to detect one E. coli O157:H7 isolate.
Conclusion:
All kits tested were able to identify E. coli O157 isolated from stool specimens. Further study with Prolex is needed to assess the significance of the one missed E. coli O157 isolate.