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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1974 August; 28(2): 306-311
Copyright © 1974 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Detection of Escherichia coli Antigens by a Latex Agglutination Test

Division of Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12201

ABSTRACT

A latex particle agglutination technique to detect ethylenediaminetetraacetate-solubilized extracts from Escherichia coli and whole E. coli cells is described. The sensitivity of the serological test was found to be 0.5 to 2.5 ng for the solubilized antigens and 1.5 x 10⁶ to 5.7 x 10⁶ cells per ml for the particulate antigens. The test was 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than the standard bacterial agglutination test. Furthermore, it detected E. coli antigens during all phases of bacterial growth, whereas the bacterial test detected the antigens only after the mid-log phase. No significant cross-reactivity was observed between latex-anti-E. coli preparations and heterologous bacterial strains used in the experimental procedure. A buffer formula containing fatty acid-free bovine albumin prevented nonspecific aggregation of the latex particles.