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08 June 2004

NEW OXOID STREPTOCOCCAL GROUPING KIT IMPROVES DETECTION OF VANCOMYCIN RESISTANT GROUP D ORGANISMS

Oxoid Limited has launched a new improved Streptococcal Grouping Kit that enhances the extraction and detection of group D antigen from enterococcal organisms. The improvements are particularly evident with vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE).

Pathogenic streptococci possess specific carbohydrate antigens that permit their classification into Lancefield groups – A, B, C, D, F and G. In the past, a minority of vancomycin resistant Group D enterococcal organisms have resulted in false negative or weak reactions. This is because VREs contain significant alterations to cell wall structure, making them more resistant to the extraction of the group D antigen.

The new Oxoid Streptococcal Grouping Kit and the Oxoid Dryspot Streptococcal Grouping Kit incorporate a new, improved enzyme extraction reagent that significantly improves the sensitivity of the kits for group D organisms.

In trials, the Oxoid Streptococcal Grouping Kit and the Oxoid Dryspot Streptococcal Grouping Kit demonstrated 92.0% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity, and 92.0% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity respectively for group D streptococci. The overall performance of the Oxoid Kits was equivalent to, or better than, alternative products.

To find out more about Oxoid Streptococcal Grouping Kit and Oxoid Dryspot Streptococcal Grouping Kit, telephone: +44 1256 841144, fax: +44 1256 463388 or email: val.kane@oxoid.com.