[Present status and advances in detecting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157].
Currently, detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli(STEC) in stool samples is based on the isolation method in most clinical laboratories. The procedures are as follows: i) isolation with selective agar plates, ii) biological test with differential media, iii) serological test of anti-O antisera, iv) detection of toxin or toxin gene. These procedures take 4 days, therefore more rapid method is required. In the near future, a rapid detection method that detects STEC directly from stool samples will be introduced. Polymerase-chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA), detection of serum anti-O157 antibodies are now available in clinical laboratories. Result of PCR for detection Shiga toxin gene and serum anti-O157 antibodies are described. Fifteen stool and serum samples from patients suspected of STEC infection were examined. With the culture and PCR method, 2 patients were positive by both methods and the results were confirmed in both cases. Six patients were positive by the antibodies detection method. From these results, the PCR method using stool samples was useful as a rapid detection method in clinical laboratories. Detection of serum antibodies has been simplified and is not an expensive method. Therefore, the method is useful for clinical diagnosis of STEC infection, especially, for diagnosing HUS or after antimicrobial agents have been administered to patients.
Miki
K
K
Department of Clinical Pathology, Kobe City General Hospital.
Imoto
S
S
Kasakura
S
S
Kurokawa
M
M
Nukina
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D022603:Shiga Toxins
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D022603:Shiga Toxins