Elek's test

Also referred to as elec- Ouchterlony immunodiffusion test.

Iron deficiency the Corynebacterium diphtheriae is reinforced diphtheria toxin. We use the ELEC - test for the detection of this toxin and thus also of the corresponding bacterium. In the center of a Petri dish is soaked in antitoxin strip-shaped filter paper, the transverse thereto under investigation diphtheria strain is again applied in strip form in the Petri dish. This strain produces the toxin, antitoxin and toxin as diffuse towards each other. Where they meet, a precipitin line is formed by the formation of an antigen -antibody complex. Diphtheria toxin and antitoxin from the impregnated filter paper react to form a cross-linked complex, ie linear and thus fails as often s- shaped line is visible. Missing the diphtheria strain diphtheriae toxin or is it not about the Corynebacterium, no precipitation line is formed.

• Microbiological test method