摘要 |
An assay for detecting microbial protease activity in clinical and laboratory samples is described which comprises gathering a sample suspected of containing certain microorganisms having the desired protease activity; immobilizing the microorganisms in the sample on a solid phase substrate; contacting the immobilized microorganisms with an enzymatic substrate producing an enzymatic substrate end-product; contacting the enzymatic substrate end-product with a chemical enhancing reagent producing a detectable chromogenic reaction which varies in intensity with the level of protease activity in the sample; and detecting the chromogenic reaction whereby the semi-quantitative presence of the protease activity in the sample is determined. The device for conducting these assays which is a frame or support holding a solid phase substrate capable of binding the microorganisms of interest while permitting drainage of other materials or fluids, which may contain host proteases, away from the immobilized microorganisms.
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