Prolex™ Staph Xtra Latex Kits (MRSA)

The Prolex™ Staph Xtra Latex Kits are highly specific, rapid agglutination tests designed for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These kits provide an efficient and reliable method for detecting Protein A and clumping factor produced by S. aureus, offering robust performance in both routine diagnostics and outbreak investigations.

Available in two kit sizes:

• PL.1080: Prolex™ Staph Xtra Latex Kit (100 Tests)
• PL.1081: Prolex™ Staph Xtra Latex Kit (300 Tests)

Key Features

1. Rapid and Reliable Results:
   • Provides accurate identification of S. aureus within 20 seconds.
   • Ideal for laboratories requiring fast turnaround times.
2. Enhanced Sensitivity:
   • Detects Protein A and clumping factor to ensure high specificity and sensitivity for S. aureus, including MRSA strains.
3. Ready-to-Use Kit:
   • Includes all necessary reagents and latex particles pre-coated with specific antibodies.
   • Simplifies testing procedures with no need for additional preparation.
4. Flexible Testing Options:
   • Available in 100-test and 300-test configurations, catering to both low- and high-volume laboratories.
5. Wide Application Range:
   • Suitable for testing isolates from clinical specimens, environmental samples, and research applications.
6. Quality Assured:
   • Manufactured under stringent quality control to ensure consistent and reproducible results.

Kit Components

• Latex Reagent: Pre-coated with specific antibodies targeting S. aureus.
• Positive and Negative Controls: Ensures test validity and reagent performance.
• Reaction Cards: Provides a clean surface for agglutination testing.
• Mixing Sticks: Allows easy handling of samples during testing.

Applications and Use Cases

1. Clinical Microbiology Diagnostics

• Purpose:
  • Rapidly identifies S. aureus from clinical isolates, including MRSA, aiding in infection diagnosis and treatment.
• Use Case:
  • A hospital lab processes blood, wound, or nasal swab isolates to identify S. aureus in patients with suspected bacteremia, sepsis, or soft tissue infections.

2. Infection Control and Outbreak Monitoring

• Purpose:
  • Detects MRSA in healthcare settings to support infection control programs.
• Use Case:
  • During an outbreak, the lab rapidly screens nasal or wound swabs for MRSA carriage to identify and isolate affected patients.

3. Food Safety Testing

• Purpose:
  • Identifies S. aureus contamination in food products or processing environments.
• Use Case:
  • A food safety lab uses the kit to test isolates from food samples during routine microbiological quality checks.

4. Research and Academic Studies

• Purpose:
  • Facilitates research on S. aureus, particularly its pathogenicity and resistance mechanisms.
• Use Case:
  • Researchers use the kit to confirm S. aureus isolates during molecular studies of MRSA strains.

Advantages

1. Speed and Efficiency:
   • Results available in less than 1 minute, expediting clinical decision-making and outbreak management.
2. High Specificity:
   • Targets both Protein A and clumping factor, minimizing false-positive results.
3. Ease of Use:
   • Ready-to-use reagents simplify workflows, making it suitable for high-throughput laboratories.
4. Cost-Effective:
   • Available in two sizes (100T and 300T) to optimize usage based on lab volume.
5. Versatility:
   • Applicable to a wide range of sample types, including clinical, environmental, and research isolates.

How It Works

1. Sample Preparation:
   • Isolate the bacterial colony suspected to be S. aureus on a solid medium.
2. Agglutination Test:
   • Place a drop of the latex reagent on the reaction card.
   • Mix the reagent with the bacterial colony using a mixing stick.
   • Observe for agglutination within 20 seconds.
3. Interpretation of Results:
   • Positive Result: Visible agglutination indicates the presence of S. aureus.
   • Negative Result: No agglutination, suggesting the absence of Protein A or clumping factor.

Specifications

Storage and Stability

• Storage Temperature: 2–8°C.
• Shelf Life: Refer to the expiration date on the packaging.
• Stability: Ensure reagents are tightly capped and stored under recommended conditions.

Use Cases by Industry

1. Hospitals and Diagnostic Labs

• Screen patient isolates for S. aureus in suspected skin, bloodstream, or soft tissue infections.
• Confirm MRSA isolates to guide antimicrobial therapy.

2. Public Health and Epidemiology

• Track MRSA prevalence in healthcare settings.
• Monitor S. aureus outbreaks in communities or hospitals.

3. Food Safety Laboratories

• Identify S. aureus contamination in dairy, meat, and ready-to-eat foods.
• Ensure food product compliance with regulatory standards.

4. Veterinary Diagnostics

• Detect S. aureus in animal samples, particularly in cases of mastitis or zoonotic infections.

5. Research Laboratories

• Confirm isolates of S. aureus for genetic, resistance, or virulence factor studies.

Why Choose Prolex™ Staph Xtra Latex Kits?

1. Speed: Obtain results in less than 1 minute, expediting clinical decisions.
2. Accuracy: High specificity and sensitivity for S. aureus, including MRSA.
3. Convenience: Ready-to-use kit format reduces preparation time.
4. Scalability: Available in multiple sizes for flexible testing volumes.
5. Reliability: Consistent performance across clinical, public health, and research applications.

Prolex™ Staph Xtra Latex Kits (MRSA) are an essential diagnostic tool for the rapid, accurate, and cost-effective identification of Staphylococcus aureus in a variety of laboratory settings.