Escherichia coli test kit RIDA®GENE

for gastrointestinal infectionsbacteriaenterobacteriaceae

For in vitro diagnostic use. RIDA®GENE E. coli Stool Panel I is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of genes encoding the virulence-factors of EPEC and STEC, EPEC in human stool samples. RIDA®GENE E. coli Stool Panel I real-time PCR is intended for use as an aid in diagnosis of gastroenteritis caused by EPEC and STEC, respectively. General information: Escherichia coli (E. coli) are gram negative, facultatively anaerobic rod bacteria, which move by peritrichal flagellation and belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family. E. coli are part of the normal intestinal flora of humans and many farm animals and are generally nonpathogenic. Some E. coli strains are pathogenic to humans through the acquisition of certain virulence factors (e.g. genes for toxins). The six known intestinal pathogenic E. coli: enterohämorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogeic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxic E. coli (ETEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) can be differentiated by the virulence factors. Enterohämorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) are currently the most important intestinal pathogenic E. coli. Every year about 1000 cases of illness due to an infection with enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) are reported in Germany. EHEC are a subgroup of the Shiga toxin or Verotoxin producing E. coli (STEC or VTEC) and are capable to produce two cytotoxins, Verotoxin 1 and 2. Due to the similarity of the Verotoxins to the Shiga toxin of Shigella dysenteriae, the VTEC are also called STEC.