Chen C H, Chou M Y
Division of Clinical Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Zhonghua Min Guo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi. 1991 Sep-Oct;32(5):297-302.
Rapid latex agglutination assay, staphaurex (Wellcome Diagnostics) was compared with the tube coagulase, thermo-stable nuclease, deoxyribonuclease and mannitol fermentation test for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 277 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 201 Staphylococcus epidermidis, and 25 Staphylococcus saprophyticus were tested. The results showed that sensitivities were: staphaurex, 99.6%; rabbit plasma, 99.6%; human plasma, 99.2%; thermostable nuclease, 100%; deoxyribonuclease, 100%; mannitol fermentation, 98.9%; as for specificities results showed: staphaurex, 96.6%; rabbit plasma 100%; human plasma, 100%; thermo-stable nuclease, 98.7%; deoxyribonuclease 95.7%; mannitol fermentation, 91.1%; respectively. In our study, staphaurex is recommended because it is simple to operate, save in time and economic in cost.