Latex agglutination reagents are widely used in microbial diagnosis, identification and serotyping. Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. Current vaccines target the pneumococcal capsule, and there are over 90 capsular serotypes. Serotyping pneumococcal isolates is therefore important for assessing the impact of vaccination programs ...

This study compared a slide agglutination test (Denka Seiken, Tokyo, Japan) to the "gold standard" quellung reaction (Pneumotest; Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark) for the serogrouping of pneumococci. Two hundred clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were used for the comparison. Each assay was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. There was an overall agree...

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Positive identification of E. coli O157:H7 is made using biochemical tests and specific antisera or latex agglutination reagents for the O157 and H7 antigens. However, under certain conditions, some E. coli O157:H7 isolates can appear to be nonreactive with H7 antisera and may require...