First Commercial Method for Top 6 Non-O157 Shiga Toxigenic E.coli

BioControl Systems, Inc. has become the first manufacturer to develop a PCR method for the detection of the top 6 non-O157 serotypes of Shiga Toxigenic E. coli (STEC) as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA FSIS).

Already used extensively within the food industry for the rapid detection of E. coli O157:H7 in beef and fresh produce, Assurance GDS® (Genetic Detection System) now combines the latest advancements in molecular technology and food microbiology to provide a new method for the detection of the six major non-O157 serotypes of STEC (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145).

'The Assurance GDS pathogen detection system is ideally suited to handle the challenges of detecting this specific group of E. coli, defined only by their O antigens and 3 key pathogenicity genes', states Geoff Bright Group Product Manager. 'The method includes a proprietary IMS-based sample preparation procedure specifically targeting the top 6 O serogroups followed by PCR analysis for the detection of the eae and stx1 or stx2 genes. This combined approach meets the USDA FSIS criteria for detection of STEC and helps ensure the STEC genetic targets are only detected in the serogroups of concern, preventing false positives from other O serogroups and eliminating the need for additional down stream PCR analysis' explains Bright.

With Assurance GDS, producers can obtain results for both E. coli O157:H7 and the top 6 non-O157 STEC from a single enriched sample after just 10 hours of incubation. The use of a common enrichment media for both assays helps streamline testing programs and control costs by eliminating the need to prepare duplicate samples. The ability to quickly test and release product, particularly in the beef and fresh produce industries, can have a significant financial impact on an organization's bottom line.

In addition to non-O157 STEC, the Assurance GDS platform includes assays for E coli O157:H7, Shiga Toxin Genes, Salmonella, Listeria spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Cronobacter.