Pro-Lab E.coli O157 Antisera (3.0ml)

The Pro-Lab E. coli O157 Antiserum is a reliable reagent designed for the presumptive identification or confirmation of E. coli O157 in cultures that have been previously characterized biochemically as Escherichia coli O157. This antiserum is a vital tool in clinical, food safety, and research laboratories for the detection and confirmation of this pathogenic strain.

Key Features

1. Specificity:
   • Designed exclusively for the detection of E. coli O157 antigen.
   • Provides high specificity, ensuring minimal cross-reactivity with non-O157 E. coli strains.
2. Versatile Usage:
   • Suitable for use in slide agglutination tests.
   • Can be used in presumptive identification or to confirm biochemical characterization.
3. Ready-to-Use:
   • Supplied as a liquid antiserum in 3.0 mL vials for ease of use in laboratory workflows.
   • Does not require further preparation, simplifying test procedures.
4. Rapid Testing:
   • Provides quick results, aiding in timely decision-making, especially in clinical or food safety contexts.

Applications

1. Clinical Microbiology:
   • Detects and confirms E. coli O157, a significant pathogen associated with severe gastrointestinal illnesses and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
2. Food Safety Testing:
   • Ensures the detection of E. coli O157 in foodborne outbreak investigations and routine food safety checks.
3. Water Quality Testing:
   • Identifies E. coli O157 contamination in water supplies.
4. Research Laboratories:
   • Used for studies involving pathogenic E. coli O157 strains.

Testing Methodology

Slide Agglutination Test:

1. Prepare the Culture:
   • Grow the bacterial culture on an appropriate agar medium and ensure biochemical characterization as E. coli.
2. Prepare the Reagents:
   • Shake the Pro-Lab E. coli O157 Antiserum vial gently before use.
3. Perform the Test:
   • Place a drop of antiserum on a clean glass slide.
   • Add a loopful of bacterial suspension to the antiserum drop and mix thoroughly.
4. Observe Results:
   • Positive Agglutination: Formation of visible clumps, indicating the presence of E. coli O157.
   • Negative Agglutination: No clumping observed, suggesting absence of E. coli O157.

Advantages

1. Accurate Identification:
   • Ensures reliable confirmation of E. coli O157 strains.
2. Efficient Workflow:
   • Quick and easy slide agglutination test allows for rapid presumptive diagnosis.
3. Broad Application:
   • Ideal for clinical, food safety, and environmental testing.
4. High Specificity:
   • Reduces the risk of false-positive results due to cross-reactivity.

Storage and Stability

• Storage Temperature: 2–8°C.
• Stability: Maintain refrigeration to preserve the integrity of the antiserum.
• Shelf Life: Refer to the product label for the expiry date.

Precautions

1. Quality Control:
   • Always include positive and negative controls in the slide agglutination tests to ensure accuracy.
2. Handling:
   • Use aseptic techniques to avoid contamination of the antiserum and test samples.
3. Limitations:
   • This antiserum is for presumptive identification or confirmation only and should be used in conjunction with biochemical tests.

Why Choose Pro-Lab Diagnostics E. coli O157 Antisera?

• Reliability: High-quality reagents ensure dependable results.
• Ease of Use: Ready-to-use format simplifies lab procedures.
• Versatility: Widely applicable across clinical, food safety, and research settings.
• Accuracy: Specific to E. coli O157, minimizing misidentification.

The Pro-Lab E. coli O157 Antiserum is a critical reagent for laboratories that need to accurately and quickly identify this pathogenic strain, contributing to improved diagnostic and safety outcomes.