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Fluoretec, a commercial kit for the rapid diagnosis by immunofluorescence of infections caused by Bacteroides spp was compared with a standard culture method. A total of 1010 specimens were tested for the presence of B fragilis group by Fluoretec F and B melaninogenicus-oralis and asaccharolytic groups by Fluoretec M. Fluoretec F was positive in 123/152 specimens culturing B fragilis group strains. Seventeen specimens were positive by Fluoretec F but negative on culture. Fluoretec M was positive in 21 of 22 specimens from which B melaninogenicus was cultured. The Fluoretec system was convenient in use, results being obtained within one hour of receipt of the specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A prospective study of the bacterial populations of non-infected urine was mounted in an attempt to define the length of delay between voiding and analysis during which culture would not give false positive results due to the multiplication of contaminant bacteria present at the time of voiding. The findings suggest that culture of urine within four hours of voiding is likely to give a true indication of the presence or absence of infection. With further delay the interpretation of a heavy growth of bacteria in urine becomes progressively more unreliable, even if that growth is in pure culture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]