Comparison of seven coagulase tests for identification of Staphylococcus aureus

Four coagglutination tests for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus were compared with the ordinary slide and tube coagulation tests using two groups of staphylococcal strains (one isolated in the authors' laboratory and the other identified by a reference laboratory). The correct identification rate in the two groups was respectively for slide test 96.9% and 92.7%, tube coagulation (citrate plasma) 99.0% and 94.8%, tube coagulation (EDTA plasma) 99.0% and 91.7%, API Staphase III 100% and 91.7%, Staph Rapid 97.9% and 91.3%, Staphyslide 99.0% and 94.6%, Staphaurex 96.9% and 92.7%. The sensitivity of Staph Rapid, Staphyslide and Staphaurex was slightly higher than that of the other tests. These three tests and the slide test were considerably more rapid as regards identification than the other tests.