Commercially available (ENDO-STAPH) assay for teichoic acid antibodies. Evaluation in patients with serious Staphylococcus aureus infections and in controls.

We have evaluated the clinical usefulness of a commercially available teichoic acid antibody assay (ENDO-STAPH). Teichoic acid antibody titers up to a 1:2 serum dilution were observed in 20% of normal subjects, thus, titers of 1:4 or more were considered positive. Of patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections, 16 of 23 with endocarditis, 12 of 20 with complicated bacteremia, three of 17 with uncomplicated bacteremia, and ten of 20 with nonbacteremic infections had positive titers. Only four of 70 controls had positive titers. Results agreed with those using our standard assay in 130 of 151 specimens. Results were reproducibly positive or negative in 17 of 18 specimens that were retested. Results were also reproducible in ten specimens retested using a different lot of standardized antigen. The ENDO-STAPH assay should broaden the clinical applications of assays for TAA.