Rapid fluorescence method for screening Salmonella spp. from enteric differential agars

J Clin Microbiol. 1990 Jan;28(1):148-9. doi: 10.1128/jcm.28.1.148-149.1990.

Abstract

Four hundred thirty-two lactose-negative colonies isolated from human feces on stool differential agar media were flooded with one drop of MUCAP Test reagent (Biolife Italiana S.r.I., Milan, Italy) and observed under a Wood lamp for the development of a blue fluorescence over or around the colony. On the basis of manual and automated conventional tests for the screening of Salmonella spp., the MUCAP Test yielded the following results: 79 true-positives, 314 true-negatives, 35 false-positives, and 4 false-negatives (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 90%; positive predictive value, 69%; negative predictive value, 99%). The specificity of the test performed on colonies isolated on MacConkey agar (95%) was higher than that performed on colonies isolated on SS agar (88%; P less than 0.03). The MUCAP Test is an easy, rapid, and sensitive method for the screening of colonies suspected of being Salmonella spp., reducing the number of biochemical tests needed.

MeSH terms

  • Agar
  • Bacteriological Techniques*
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / metabolism
  • Salmonella / isolation & purification*
  • Salmonella / metabolism
  • Salmonella Infections / diagnosis

Substances

  • Agar
  • Hydrogen Sulfide