Streptococcus grouping latex kits: evaluation of five commercially available examples

This study compares a recently introduced latex agglutination test for the serogrouping of beta-haemolytic streptococci against four internationally used commercial kits. The new kit is Prolex-Blue (Pro-Lab Diagnostics) and the comparators are Streptex (Murex), PathoDx (DPC), Streptococcus Grouping kit (Oxoid) and Prolex-White (Pro-Lab Diagnostics). A total of 302 consecutive clinical isolates are tested against all five kits, following the individual manufacturer's protocol, for both accuracy and speed. In addition, the data produced permits determination of the strengths or weaknesses of the kits against individual serotypes. Prolex-Blue proved to be both accurate and rapid, with a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100%. Furthermore, average time to agglutination was substantially less than achieved by three of the other four kits evaluated.

Evaluation of a new Staphylococcus aureus latex agglutination kit, Prolex Staph Xtra, against other third-generation kits

Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains, continues to be a common cause of infection/colonisation, which necessitates accurate and prompt diagnosis in the laboratory. Several rapid agglutination tests that aid this function are available, and some have been modified to improve their performance. One such kit, Prolex Staph Xtra, has been released recently. This study aims to compare this kit with other improved kits (i.e., Pastorex Staph-Plus, Staphaurex Plus and Staphytect Plus) and investigate their ability to confirm the identity of 100 strains of S. aureus. Results showed that 50 were resistant to methicillin. Specificity was checked against 30 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 20 Enterococcus species isolates. Of the four kits tested, Prolex Staph Xtra and Pastorex Staph-Plus proved superior in terms of sensitivity and speed.

Therapists' differential countertransference reactions toward clients with major depression or borderline personality disorder

The purpose of this study was to examine psychotherapists' differential countertransference reactions toward either clients diagnosed with either Major Depression or Borderline Personality Disorder. Specifically, psychotherapists' personal perceptions and emotional reactions to these clients were assessed utilizing the Impact Message Inventory and the Stress Appraisal Scale (N = 155). Direct feelings, action tendencies, cognitive attributions, and perceived anxiety were evaluated. Results indicated that clients with Borderline Personality Disorder are perceived as significantly more dominant and hostile, whereas clients with Major Depression were considered significantly more submissive, friendly, and salient. In addition, it was found that as clinicians' years of experience increased, degree of countertransference decreased. These results suggest that countertransference reactions can be measured empirically, that differential countertransference reactions are evoked toward clients manifesting different symptoms, and that awareness of countertransference may be important for positive therapeutic outcome.