[Rapid detection of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in feces by latex agglutination and immunochromatographic assay].

The rapid detection method of Escherichia coli O157 in feces by using the latex agglutination test kit (Prolex; Pro Lab Diagnostics) and the immunochromatic assay kit (NOW EH. E. coli; Binax) was studied. 176 fecal samples obtained from 154 healthy men and 22 patients who had diarrhea by E. coli O157 were examined. Tellurite cefixim sorbitol MacConkey (TC-SMAC), Prolex and NOW were used for studies and also these were done after the enriched culture by tellurite cefixime vancomycin toriptic soy broth (TCV-TSB). In the direct inoculation, 5 (23%) of 22 samples, 7 (32%) and 9 (41%), and after the enriched culture, 7 (32%), 10 (46%) and 11 (50%) were positive by culture, Prolex and NOW, respectively. On the other hand, 154 samples from healthy men were all negative in the direct inoculation, but in the enriched culture, 7 of 40 (18%) were positive by NOW. These samples were negative by boiled (100 degrees C, 15 minutes). Our results indicated that Prolex and NOW were useful for accurate and rapid diagnosis of E. coli O157 enteritis, and more sensitivity results were obtained with the enrichment broth.