Abstract

BACKGROUND
Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacterium which is a basic, symbiotic element of the physiological flora of the large intestine of humans and warm-blooded animals. However, in specific cases it may become a very dangerous pathogen (eg, diarrhoea, infection of the urinary tract, lungs, and generalized infections). Its early detection, as a cause of infectious disease, helps to achieve optimal treatment results; however, classical microbiological tests require at least 24 hours from sample taking to diagnosis.
MATERIAL/METHODS
We present a unique solution based on CZE technologies enabling identification of E. coli presence in studied sample within half an hour. Altogether, 30 E. coli-infected wounds and ulcerations were examined, comparing the results obtained by classical culture method with the result of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) electropherogram.
RESULTS
The method, which does not require any preparation of the sample, achieved 86.7% sensitivity and 85%specificity in the examined clinical material (infections of surgical wounds).
CONCLUSIONS
The obtained results enable reliable, very fast testing for E. coli as a pathogen.

Authors

Szeliga J, Klodzinska E, Jackowski M, Buszewski B

Institution

Department of General, Gastroenterological and Oncological Surgery, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland.

Source

Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research 17:10 2011 Oct pg MT91-6

MeSH

Boric Acids
Edetic Acid
Electrophoresis, Capillary
Escherichia coli Infections
Humans
Sensitivity and Specificity
Surgical Wound Infection
Tromethamine

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Evaluation Studies
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

21959622