The use of the coagglutination test to determine whether Australian and New Zealand isolates of Escherichia coli produce the heat-labile enterotoxin.

A rapid method for identifying strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) which produce the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) was evaluated. It was shown generally to be more sensitive in identifying LT producing ETEC than the traditional methods. It is considered particularly useful for the small laboratory, because no complex equipment is required.