Better Non-0157:H7 E. coli Test is in the Works
USDA is collaborating with DuPont Qualicon to develop a more effective test for the six most common non-0157:H7 shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that non-O157 STEC bacteria are responsible for 36,000 illnesses, 1,000 hospitalizations and 30 deaths annually.
In recent years, they have become a growing concern as agents of foodborne illness. In fact, USDA has been studying the possibility of expanding its definition of “adulterated meat” to include meat that is contaminated with non-O157 STEC E. coli.
According to the CDC, about 70 percent of non-O157 STEC isolated from humans fall into six serogroups, which are (in order of frequency): O26, O103, O111, O121, O45, and O145. STEC that are known to cause human illness are sometimes called enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC).
Whatever the serotype, if a bacterium is making Shiga toxins in the gastrointestinal tract of an infected individual, that person is at risk for developing hemorrhagic colitis and life-threatening HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.
“The USDA continually looks for opportunities to collaborate in ways that will expedite research to assist regulatory agencies and move technologies into the marketplace. This collaborative project to develop a discriminating STEC test is a good fit with our mission,” Pina Fratamico, USDA research microbiologist said in a press release.
Tags: E coli O145, e coli O157
