Comparison of four kits for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin in foods from outbreaks of food poisoning

Four commercial kits, three based on sandwich ELISA techniques and one on latex agglutination were compared for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins in foods from outbreaks of food poisoning. Enterotoxin was detected in 14 of 18 foods with the Swiss SET-EIA and in 9 or 10 with the Unipath SET-RPLA and two ELISAs from Transia. The advantages and disadvantages of the four methods are discussed.