Commercially available (ENDO-STAPH) assay for teichoic acid antibodies. Evaluation in patients with serious Staphylococcus aureus infections and in controls

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Abstract
The clinical usefulness of a commercially available teichoic acid antibody assay (ENDO-STAPH) was evaluated. Teichoic acid antibody titers up to a 1:2 serum dilution were observed in 20% of normal subjects; thus, titers of .gtoreq. 1:4 were considered positive. Of patients with S. aureus infections, 16 of 23 with endocarditis, 12 of 20 with complicated bacteremia, 3 of 17 with uncomplicated bacteremia and 10 of 20 with nonbacteremic infections had positive titers. Only 4 of 70 controls had positive titers. Results agreed with those using a standard assay in 130 of 151 specimens. Results were reproducibly positive or negative in 17 of 18 specimens that were retested. Results were also reproducible in 10 specimens retested using a different lot of standardized antigen. The ENDO-STAPH assay should broaden the clinical applications of assays for TAA.