Diagnostic value of Diamed AG latex gel kit for detection of diphtheria toxin

: ID-PaGIA diphtheria toxin polymer particle diagnostic agent manufactured by DiaMed AG, Switzerland, was tried at bacteriological laboratory of Institute of Childhood Infections in St. Petersburg. The trials were carried out using two methods, direct and capture, which differ by the duration of incubation of the studied C. diphtheriae cultures. Ouchterloney's immunoprecipitation test in agar was the control method. Ninety-seven toxigenic strains were tested by direct test and 76 by capture test; in addition, 19 nontoxigenic strains were tested. The results coincided with control tests in 100% cases. The advantages of each method are defined and the possibility of their utilization at bacteriological laboratories of infectious hospitals and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance is evaluated.