Development of a rapid method for the detection of verocytotoxin-producingEscherichia coli (VTEC)

Aims: The object of this study was to adapt a new test kit to achieve the r apid identification of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC). Methods and Results: The kit, which is based on reversed passive latex aggl utination (RPLA), was combined with a method for identifying heat-labile en terotoxin-producing E. coli (LT-ETEC). An answer can thereby be obtained wi thin a single working day. Over 200 strains, both VTEC and non-VTEC, of hum an and animal origin, belonging to a variety of serotypes were tested in th is new rapid technique. Apart from three false-positive results, all other strains gave the correct answer by this rapid method. Conclusions: The method should enable the diagnosis of these important huma n pathogens to be made rapidly by most microbiological laboratories, and pe rmit appropriate actions to be taken rapidly and therefore more effectively .