Comparison of coagulase test methods for identification of Staphylococcus intermedius from dogs.

Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from dogs were tested for coagulase activity by 6 commercial methods and by conventional methods, using rabbit and dog plasma. When compared with the conventional tube method using rabbit plasma, none of the 6 commercial methods was suitable for identification of S intermedius, although the 6 tests performed well using strains of S aureus. Use of rabbit plasma identified more S intermedius isolates than did use of dog plasma.