The clinical use of a fast screening test based on technology of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for identification of Escherichia coli infection in biological material

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.