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Efficacy of the enteric pathogen screen card in the presumptive identification of Salmonella enteritidis
1Servicio de Microbiologia, Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Abstract:
The efficacy of the Enteric Pathogen Screen (EPS) card as a rapid method for identification of Salmonella spp. isolated in stool cultures was studied. Of the 120 lactose-negative, sucrose-negative, H2S-producing colonies tested, 74 were identified as Salmonella enteritidis by conventional methods. The reading of the EPS card after 2 h of incubation yielded a sensitivity of 47.2% and a specificity and positive predictive value of 100%, with a negative predictive value of 54.1%. In the final reading of 4 h, a sensitivity of 97.2% and a specificity of 86.9% were obtained, with a positive predictive value of 92.3% and a negative predictive value of 95.2%.
Insights
The Enteric Pathogen Screen (EPS) card rapidly identifies Salmonella in stool cultures. A 4-hour incubation period provides high sensitivity and specificity for Salmonella enteritidis detection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Early identification of enteric pathogens is crucial for effective treatment.
- Salmonella species are significant causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide.
- Conventional Salmonella identification methods can be time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Enteric Pathogen Screen (EPS) card for rapid identification of Salmonella species.
- To compare the performance of the EPS card at different incubation times.
Main Methods:
- 120 lactose-negative, sucrose-negative, H2S-producing colonies from stool cultures were tested.
- Conventional methods were used as the gold standard for Salmonella enteritidis identification.
- The EPS card was read at 2 hours and 4 hours of incubation.
Main Results:
- At 2 hours, the EPS card showed 47.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity.
- At 4 hours, sensitivity increased to 97.2% and specificity was 86.9%.
- Positive predictive value at 4 hours was 92.3%, and negative predictive value was 95.2%.
Conclusions:
- The EPS card is a potentially valuable tool for the rapid presumptive identification of Salmonella.
- A 4-hour incubation period significantly improves the sensitivity and accuracy of the EPS card for Salmonella detection.
- The EPS card can aid in faster clinical decision-making for suspected Salmonella infections.