Prolex™ E. coli non-O157 Kit, 50 Tests

The Prolex™ E. coli Non-O157 Kit is a highly specific latex agglutination test designed for the presumptive identification of six common non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serotypes. These include E. coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145, which are major contributors to foodborne illnesses worldwide. This kit is ideal for use in clinical, food safety, and public health laboratories to rapidly screen isolates and provide early indications of non-O157 STEC presence.

Key Features

1. Rapid Results:
   • Provides results in 2 minutes or less, enabling quick decision-making in clinical and food safety workflows.
2. High Specificity:
   • Detects six major non-O157 STEC serotypes associated with severe gastrointestinal infections and outbreaks.
3. Comprehensive Coverage:
   • Includes serotypes O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145, covering the most clinically relevant non-O157 STEC.
4. Ready-to-Use Format:
   • Pre-coated latex particles for easy handling and testing.
   • Positive and negative controls included to validate test performance.
5. Meets Industry Standards:
   • Manufactured under stringent quality controls to meet the requirements of food safety and clinical diagnostic laboratories.
6. Compact Design:
   • Available in a 50-test kit format, making it suitable for small to medium-volume laboratories.

Kit Components

• Latex Reagent: Pre-coated with specific antibodies for each of the six non-O157 STEC serotypes.
• Positive and Negative Controls: Ensures test reliability and accuracy.
• Reaction Cards: Provides a clean surface for the agglutination test.
• Mixing Sticks: For efficient sample mixing and handling.

Applications and Use Cases

1. Clinical Diagnostics

• Purpose:
  • Detects non-O157 STEC serotypes in stool samples or isolates from patients presenting with diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
• Use Case:
  • A hospital lab uses the kit to confirm E. coli O26 or O111 in stool isolates from patients with suspected STEC infections.

2. Food Safety Testing

• Purpose:
  • Identifies non-O157 STEC contamination in food products.
• Use Case:
  • A food safety lab screens raw meat or fresh produce for E. coli O145, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

3. Public Health and Outbreak Monitoring

• Purpose:
  • Tracks the prevalence of non-O157 STEC serotypes during outbreaks.
• Use Case:
  • A public health lab confirms the presence of E. coli O103 in water samples during an outbreak investigation.

4. Environmental Testing

• Purpose:
  • Detects contamination of water and environmental samples by non-O157 STEC serotypes.
• Use Case:
  • An environmental lab monitors recreational water sources for E. coli O26 contamination.

5. Research Applications

• Purpose:
  • Supports studies on the epidemiology, pathogenicity, and resistance patterns of non-O157 STEC.
• Use Case:
  • Researchers use the kit to identify O121 isolates in studies of STEC virulence factors.

Advantages

1. Speed:
   • Rapid agglutination results in less than 2 minutes streamline workflows.
2. Accuracy:
   • High specificity for six key non-O157 STEC serotypes ensures reliable results.
3. Ease of Use:
   • Ready-to-use reagents and simple procedures make it accessible to all lab personnel.
4. Comprehensive Testing:
   • Covers the most clinically relevant non-O157 STEC serotypes in a single test.
5. Cost-Effective:
   • Compact 50-test format minimizes waste and is ideal for low- to medium-volume labs.

How It Works

1. Sample Preparation:
   • Isolate suspected E. coli colonies on selective media (e.g., SMAC or Chromogenic STEC agar).
2. Agglutination Test:
   • Place a drop of the latex reagent and a bacterial suspension from the isolate on the reaction card.
   • Mix using the provided sticks and observe for visible agglutination.
3. Interpretation of Results:
   • Positive Result: Visible agglutination indicates the presence of the corresponding non-O157 STEC serotype.
   • Negative Result: No agglutination suggests the absence of targeted serotypes.

Specifications

Storage and Stability

• Storage Temperature: 2–8°C.
• Shelf Life: Refer to the expiration date on the kit packaging.
• Stability: Store reagents in original packaging to ensure optimal performance.

Use Cases by Industry

1. Hospitals and Diagnostic Labs

• Detects non-O157 STEC in stool samples for rapid diagnosis of severe gastrointestinal infections.
• Confirms pathogenic strains for appropriate patient management.

2. Food Safety Laboratories

• Identifies non-O157 STEC contamination in food products such as ground beef, leafy greens, and unpasteurized dairy products.
• Ensures compliance with FDA and EU food safety regulations.

3. Public Health Organizations

• Screens for non-O157 STEC in food, water, or environmental samples during outbreak investigations.
• Tracks the prevalence of emerging non-O157 STEC serotypes.

4. Environmental Monitoring

• Detects non-O157 STEC contamination in water sources, ensuring public health safety.

5. Research Laboratories

• Supports epidemiological studies and research into virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of non-O157 STEC.

Why Choose the Prolex™ E. coli Non-O157 Kit?

1. Speed: Quick and accurate results in under 2 minutes.
2. Accuracy: High specificity for the six most clinically significant non-O157 STEC serotypes.
3. Ease of Use: Ready-to-use reagents and straightforward protocols save time and effort.
4. Versatility: Suitable for clinical, food safety, public health, and research applications.
5. Cost-Effective: Compact format minimizes waste and reduces costs for smaller labs.

References

1. ISO 13136:2012: Microbiology of food and animal feed — Real-time PCR-based method for the detection of foodborne STEC.
2. CDC STEC Guidelines: Identification and classification of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, including non-O157 serotypes.
3. FDA BAM Chapter 4A: Detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli, including non-O157 STEC.

The Prolex™ E. coli Non-O157 Kit is an indispensable diagnostic tool for rapid and reliable identification of non-O157 STEC serotypes, ensuring timely and accurate results across clinical, food safety, and environmental applications.