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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
10:41
Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance
Published on: January 3, 2012
[Diphtheria toxin titration using "Staphylococcus aureus" protein A (author's transl)]
Annales De Microbiologie
|April 1, 1978
Summary
A novel agglutination test using Staphylococcus aureus (SpA) and IgG antibodies can detect diphtheria toxin. This rapid diagnostic method shows sensitivity comparable to guinea-pig bioassays for diphtheria toxin detection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
Context:
- Diphtheria toxin detection is crucial for public health.
- Existing diagnostic methods have limitations in speed or sensitivity.
- Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus (SpA) can bind IgG antibodies.
Purpose:
- To develop a rapid and sensitive agglutination assay for diphtheria toxin detection.
- To evaluate the sensitivity of the SpA-IgG agglutination test.
- To compare the test's sensitivity with existing biological titration methods.
Summary:
- An antigen-antibody reaction between diphtheria toxin and IgG antibodies adsorbed onto SpA-carrying S. aureus cells can be visualized as agglutination.
- A rapid slide test can detect 0.3 Lf/ml of diphtheria toxin.
- Overnight incubation increases sensitivity to 0.01-0.02 Lf/ml, comparable to guinea-pig lethal effect assays, but less sensitive than skin reactions.
Impact:
- This SpA-IgG agglutination test offers a potentially rapid and sensitive method for diphtheria toxin detection.
- The assay's sensitivity is comparable to established biological methods, suggesting its utility in diagnostics.
- Further optimization may enhance sensitivity, potentially surpassing current limitations in rapid toxin detection.
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