Detection of E.coli Verotoxin
Did you know that among the E. coli human pathogens, Verotoxin (Shiga-like toxin) forming strains (VTEC) have gained in importance in recent years. The group of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) with its highly pathogenic serovars 0157:H7, 026, 0103, 0111, 0145, and other strains are of particular concern.
Verotoxins can be classified into two main categories Verotoxin 1 (VT1, SLT1, Stx1) and Verotoxin 2 (VT2, SLT2, Stx2). EHEC strains may produce either VT1 or VT2 only or both VT1 and VT2 simultaneously. EHEC are capable of initiating life threatening illnesses, particularly in those with immune deficiency, young children and the elderly.
Detection of verotoxin is the easist way in which you can determine if the E.coli of interest is a pathogen of real concern.
E.coli is common everywhere with the main sources of infection being contaminated, raw or insufficiently heated foods of animal origin, e.g. meat and dairy products.
The reservoir for EHEC is the feces of cattle, sheep and goats. These microorganisms can enter food during the processing of meat and dairy products if hygienic conditions are inadequate. The drastic increase in the incidence of food infection caused by E. coli 0157 demands reliable and rapid methods of detection. In addition to traditional culture methods, immunological techniques are becoming more useful due to their improved specificity and sensitivity.
Duopath® Verotoxins is an immunological screening test based on the immune flow principle. The Duopath® Verotoxins GLISA test is an immunochromatographic rapid test intended to be used in food-analysing laboratories for the qualitative detection of Verotoxins (Shiga-like toxins) 1 and 2 from Verotoxinogenic E. coli (including E. coli O157:H7) isolated from food enrichments using FDA, USDA or other food enrichment methods.
This test has been validated and received AOAC approval for detection of Verotoxins 1 and 2 from isolated Verotoxin-producing E.coli (including E. coli O157:H7). Duopath® Verotoxin is also intended to be used in clinical laboratories for the qualitative identification of Verotoxins 1 and 2 (Shiga-like toxins 1 and 2) produced by E. coli isolated in cultures derived from clinical stool specimens. The identification aids in the diagnosis of diseases caused by enterohemorrhagic E. coli infections.
