Shiga toxin Producing E. coli

Shiga-toxin Producing E. coli
DataValue
Method Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) for detection of Shiga toxins I and II (verotoxins)
CPT Code n/a
Test Scope Isolation of Shiga toxin producing E. coli colonies (including E. coli O157) from positive MacConkey broths by sub-culture to MacConkey and sorbitol- MacConkey agar plates
Preferred Specimen A positive MacConkey broth that has tested positive for Shiga toxins by EIA, plus the original stool sample in Cary-Blair transport media.
Specimen Container A sealed MacConkey broth
Specimen Identification Label with patient’s first and last name, DOB and date/time of collection.
Note All positive isolates (including non-E. coli O157) are forwarded to the CDC for further characterization. PFGE analysis is performed on all Shiga toxin producing E. coli isolates and reported to the county epidemiologist.
Shipping Requirements Store and ship refrigerated. Transport to lab as soon as possible preferably within 24 hours.
Stools and broths may be held for up to 7 days at 2-8° C before testing by EIA.
Sample Rejection Criteria
  • Specimen Tubes Broken or cracked in transit
  • Mislabeled/Unlabeled specimen
Turn-around-time 48-72 hours