The clinical use of a fast screening test based on technology of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for identification of Escherichia coli infection in biological material.

BACKGROUND

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacterium which is a basic, symbiotic element of the physiological flora of the large intestine of humans and warm-blooded animals. However, in specific cases it may become a very dangerous pathogen (eg, diarrhoea, infection of the urinary tract, lungs, and generalized infections). Its early detection, as a cause of infectious disease, helps to achieve optimal treatment results; however, classical microbiological tests require at least 24 hours from sample taking to diagnosis.

MATERIAL/METHODS: We present a unique solution based on CZE technologies enabling identification of E. coli presence in studied sample within half an hour. Altogether, 30 E. coli-infected wounds and ulcerations were examined, comparing the results obtained by classical culture method with the result of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) electropherogram.

RESULTS

The method, which does not require any preparation of the sample, achieved 86.7% sensitivity and 85%specificity in the examined clinical material (infections of surgical wounds).

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained results enable reliable, very fast testing for E. coli as a pathogen.