Oxoid has extended its range of diagnostic test kits to include the rapid and reliable Remel Wellcolex® Colour tests. Utilising simple, coloured latex, the Wellcolex range includes tests for Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli O157.

Most clinical and public health laboratories are familiar with latex agglutination technology. Wellcolex Colour Salmonella is a useful rapid screening test that can be used to eliminate Salmonella-negative samples from further testing. By reducing the number of samples requiring further confirmatory testing, this method saves time and resources, and allows negative results to be reported at least 24 hours earlier than by conventional methods.

Wellcolex Colour Salmonella can also be used for the presumptive identification of Salmonella serogroups A, B, C, D, E, and G, and the Vi antigen using just two reagents. Such information is useful in the clinical diagnosis of Salmonella infection and is helpful in the monitoring and control of outbreaks.

In independent evaluations, Wellcolex Colour Salmonella performed extremely well, with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (>98%) (ref 1). It was also found to be simple to perform and easy to use. An aliquot of colony suspension or enrichment broth is simply mixed with the latex reagent and, after just two minutes rotation, the results are clearly visible. If the test is negative, the latex remains in smooth suspension and retains its original colour. A positive result is indicated by a distinct colour agglutination against an altered background.

Wellcolex Colour Shigella is used for the identification of Shigella sonnei, S. flexneri, S. dysenteriae and S. boydii. The Wellcolex® range also includes tests for E. coli O157 and H7.

Chris Waghorn, clinical applications manager, Oxoid, comments, "The rapid identification of these micro-organisms is important to ensure the prompt and appropriate treatment of patients and to minimise the impact of disease outbreaks. The Wellcolex Colour latex products fit well with the wide range of products available from Oxoid for the rapid and reliable identification of important human pathogens."

For further information about any of the products in the Wellcolex range, please contact Oxoid using the contact details at the top of this page.