A method of enhancing verocytotoxin production by Escherichia coli.
The number of verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) present in the faeces during an infection may be very low, making their detection difficult. We report a method for enhancing toxin production by VTEC using mitomycin C as an inducing agent with the aim of improving the detection of VTEC. In pure culture, mitomycin C enhanced toxin production up to 100-fold. When applied to mixed faecal culture, toxin could be detected in mitomycin C treated samples when standard cultures were negative and when substantially fewer verocytotoxin-producing bacteria were present. Use of this method may aid in the detection of VTEC and is appropriate for use in the routine diagnostic laboratory.
al-Jumaili
I
I
Gastroenterology Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Burke
D A
DA
Scotland
S M
SM
al-Mardini
H
H
Record
C O
CO
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1; D014709:Vero Cells
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003470:Culture Media; D004768:Enterotoxins; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1; D016685:Mitomycin; D011112:Polymyxin B