Comparison of three assay systems for detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin

In this study, a commercial DNA-DNA hybridization kit for the detection of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin is compared with a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the suckling mouse bioassay. Taking the suckling mouse assay as the "gold standard," the gene probe was the more specific and the ELISA was the more sensitive of the assays. The ELISA and the suckling mouse test are semiquantitative. The ELISA was the most rapid method, most amenable to automation, and most suitable for the examination of large numbers of specimens. The gene probe is particularly applicable in relatively primitive laboratory conditions. The suckling mouse assay was the least suitable system for the examination of large numbers of specimens.