Staph Procedures and Interpretation

Step 1

Add a drop of the Latex Reagent to a well of the test card.

Step 2

Using a disposable stirrer, collect a visible amount of an isolated colony about 2 mm in size from the overnight culture grown on 5% sheep blood agar plate.

Step 3

Emulsify the culture sample in the Latex Reagent on the card. Discard the stirrer into an appropriate biohazard container.

Step 4

Gently tilt and rotate the card in a complete circular motion for up to 45 seconds, or until agglutination is evident, which ever comes first. Positive reactions usually occur within 15-20 seconds.

Step 5

View the mixture on the card, using only a high intensity light source. Do not use a magnifying lens

Interpretation

Reactive - Any degree of agglutination as compared to the nonreactive control.

Nonreactive - Smooth suspension with no visible agglutination after 45 seconds.