Reversed passive latex agglutination assay for detection of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae

A reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) assay for determining the toxigenicity of Corynebacterium diphtheriae is presented. Rabbit antitoxin antiserum was raised by using commercially available diphtheria toxoid. This antiserum reacted with the diphtheria toxin when the culture supernatant was assayed by Western blotting, and it did not cross-react with other extracellular antigens. Affinity-purified antibodies for latex sensitization were obtained by using a Hi Trap N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated column. Demonstration of toxin in five of seven clinical isolates was in accordance with the PCR assay and the Vero cell cytotoxicity test. Culture of the bacteria for 6 h was sufficient for toxin production, and an additional 6 h was needed to observe latex agglutination. Therefore, diphtheria toxin can be detected in 12 h by this method. The lowest concentration of diphtheria toxin detectable by the RPLA assay was about 5 ng/ml. The RPLA assay can provide a convenient and reliable method for laboratories involved in the identification of toxinogenic corynebacteria.