Pro-Lab PROLEX™ E. coli O157 Latex Test Reagent Kit

The Pro-Lab PROLEX™ E. coli O157 Latex Test Reagent Kit is a rapid, specific, and reliable diagnostic tool for the serological identification of Escherichia coli O157, a major cause of foodborne illness and hemorrhagic colitis. This latex agglutination kit offers a quick and accurate way to detect E. coli O157 isolates in clinical, food, and environmental samples. It is available in two configurations to meet laboratory throughput needs:

• PL.070B: Prolex™ E. coli O157 Latex Kit (50 Tests)
• PL.071B: Prolex™ E. coli O157 Latex Kit (100 Tests)

Key Features

1. Rapid Results:
   • Provides definitive results in 2 minutes or less, enabling fast clinical and food safety decisions.
2. High Specificity:
   • Detects the O157 antigen of E. coli, minimizing false positives.
   • Validated for high sensitivity in detecting E. coli O157 from pre-screened colonies.
3. Ready-to-Use Format:
   • Pre-coated latex particles simplify the testing process.
   • Positive and negative controls included to validate test performance.
4. Flexible Testing Options:
   • Available in 50- and 100-test configurations for both low- and high-volume laboratories.
5. Meets Regulatory Standards:
   • Complies with international food safety and clinical diagnostic requirements.
6. Wide Applicability:
   • Effective in clinical diagnostics, food safety, environmental testing, and research applications.

Kit Components

• Latex Reagent: Pre-coated with antibodies specific for the E. coli O157 antigen.
• Positive and Negative Controls: Ensures accurate interpretation of test results.
• Reaction Cards: Provides a clean and controlled testing surface.
• Mixing Sticks: Facilitates sample preparation and mixing during the test.

Applications and Use Cases

1. Clinical Diagnostics

• Purpose:
  • Rapid identification of E. coli O157 in stool and other clinical specimens.
• Use Case:
  • A clinical lab uses the kit to confirm E. coli O157 in isolates from patients presenting with hemorrhagic colitis or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

2. Food Safety Testing

• Purpose:
  • Detects contamination of food products with E. coli O157, ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
• Use Case:
  • A food testing laboratory screens raw vegetables and undercooked meats for E. coli O157, verifying product safety before distribution.

3. Public Health and Outbreak Monitoring

• Purpose:
  • Tracks E. coli O157 outbreaks in communities, schools, or hospitals.
• Use Case:
  • A public health lab identifies the source of a foodborne outbreak by confirming E. coli O157 isolates from water or food samples.

4. Environmental Monitoring

• Purpose:
  • Ensures water and environmental samples are free from E. coli O157 contamination.
• Use Case:
  • An environmental testing lab uses the kit to monitor water sources in regions prone to contamination with E. coli O157.

5. Research Applications

• Purpose:
  • Supports studies of E. coli O157 virulence, pathogenicity, and resistance patterns.
• Use Case:
  • Researchers use the kit to confirm O157 antigen-positive isolates in epidemiological and genetic studies.

Advantages

1. Speed:
   • Rapid agglutination-based identification allows faster decisions in clinical and food safety workflows.
2. Ease of Use:
   • Ready-to-use reagents simplify the process, requiring minimal technical expertise.
3. Accuracy and Specificity:
   • High sensitivity ensures precise identification of E. coli O157, reducing false positives or negatives.
4. Versatility:
   • Applicable to a wide range of sample types, including stool, food, water, and environmental isolates.
5. Cost-Effective:
   • Available in two kit sizes (50T and 100T) to suit different testing volumes, minimizing waste.

How It Works

1. Sample Preparation:
   • Isolate suspected E. coli O157 colonies on selective media (e.g., SMAC agar).
2. Agglutination Test:
   • Place a drop of the latex reagent and a drop of the test sample on the reaction card.
   • Mix using the provided sticks and observe for agglutination.
3. Interpretation of Results:
   • Positive Result: Visible agglutination indicates the presence of E. coli O157 antigen.
   • Negative Result: No agglutination suggests the absence of the O157 antigen.

Specifications

Storage and Stability

• Storage Conditions: 2–8°C.
• Shelf Life: Refer to the expiration date on the kit packaging.
• Stability: Ensure reagents are tightly sealed and stored appropriately to maintain performance.

Use Cases by Industry

1. Hospitals and Diagnostic Labs

• Screen stool isolates for E. coli O157 in patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Confirm pathogenic strains of E. coli during infection diagnosis.

2. Food Safety Laboratories

• Ensure compliance with FDA or EU food safety regulations by testing for E. coli O157 contamination in raw produce, meat, and dairy products.

3. Public Health Organizations

• Rapidly detect E. coli O157 during foodborne outbreaks to prevent further spread.
• Identify the source of contamination in public water supplies.

4. Environmental Monitoring

• Test for E. coli O157 in drinking water and recreational water sources to ensure public health safety.

5. Academic and Research Labs

• Confirm isolates of E. coli O157 for research on pathogen behavior and outbreak patterns.

Why Choose Pro-Lab PROLEX™ E. coli O157 Latex Kit?

1. Speed: Fast, easy-to-read results in under 2 minutes.
2. Accuracy: High specificity for E. coli O157, reducing the risk of false positives.
3. Convenience: Ready-to-use reagents and simple test procedure streamline workflows.
4. Versatility: Suitable for clinical, food safety, environmental, and research applications.
5. Cost-Effective: Available in multiple kit sizes to meet various testing needs.

References

1. ISO 16654:2001: Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for the detection of Escherichia coli O157.
2. CDC Guidelines: Protocols for identifying E. coli O157 in clinical and public health laboratories.
3. FDA BAM (Bacteriological Analytical Manual): Methods for detecting E. coli O157 in food and water samples.

The Pro-Lab PROLEX™ E. coli O157 Latex Test Reagent Kit is an essential diagnostic tool for accurate and efficient identification of E. coli O157, ensuring timely and reliable results across clinical, food safety, and public health laboratories.