Performance Of Latex Agglutination Test Research Articles

Effect of serum sample inactivation on the performance of latex agglutination test for paracoccidioidomycosis serodiagnosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis is diagnosed from the direct observation of the causative agent, but serology can facilitate and decrease the time required for diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of serum sample inactivation on the performance of the latex agglutination test (LAT) for detecting antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The sensitivity of LAT from inactivated or non-inactivated samples was 73% and 83%, respectively and the LAT selectivity was 79% and 90%, respectively. The LAT evaluated here was no more specific than the double-immunodiffusion assay. We suggest the investigation of other methods for improving the LAT, such as the use of deglycosylated antigen.

Performance of latex agglutination test (KAtex) in diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic disease in some parts of Iran. Many techniques have been used for diagnosis of VL, among which the urine based latex agglutination test (KAtex) is a promising one. To compare three diagnostic tests of VL including KAtex, ELISA and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) in VL patients and healthy controls in the south west of Iran. Serum (n = 29) and urine samples (n = 31) were collected from parasitologically confirmed VL patients. Control samples were obtained from healthy individuals (n = 61) and also from patients with infectious diseases other than VL. The collected serum samples were tested by DAT and ELISA using crude antigen from promastigotes of Leishmania infantum and the urine samples were tested by KAtex. Sensitivity and specificity of KAtex for diagnosis of VL was found to be 83.9% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivities of DAT and ELISA were 93.1% and 86.2% and their specificities were 100% and 90.5%, respectively. KAtex yielded a satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of VL in Iran and can be recommended as a rapid, field applicable and reliable test for diagnosis of VL in this region.

Performance of a latex agglutination test in the diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis by rotavirus

The aim of this work was to determine the performance of latex agglutination test (LAT) for evaluating children acute gastroenteritis by rotavirus. The LAT showed good sensitivity, as well as specificity and predictive positive value and due to its simplicity and speed, it has been suitable for rotavirus diagnosis in hospital laboratories.