Evaluation of a Reversed Passive Latex Agglutination Test Kit for Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin

Abstract

A reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) test kit for Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) marketed by the Denka-Seiken Co., Tokyo, Japan, was evaluated by using culture supernatant fluids and extracts from feces of food poisoning patients. Nanograms of CPE were detectable with the assay and the reaction was specific, as shown by parallel activity in a double antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Although less sensitive, the RPLA method is easier to perform than the ELISA and counterimmunoelectrophoresis, both of which require special test reagents and equipment not generally available.