Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) belong to the group of pathogenic E. coli, which can cause diarrhoea, as well as haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uremic syndrome in more severe cases, The main virulence genes of STEC include the stx1 and stx2 genes that encode “Shiga toxins” and the eae gene that encodes a protein involved in the infection process and cell adhesion, being the production of these molecules associated with severe disease conditions. The presence of serogroups O157, O26, O111, O103, O104 and O145 is also associated with more severe forms of the disease.

ALS Life Sciences has developed and implemented the method to analyze the presence of STEC by PCR and to determine serotypes O157, O111, O26, O103, O145 and O104:H4 in products intended for human consumption or animal feed, as well as in environmental samples from food production and handling, and primary production areas. The methodology implemented is within the scope of accreditation and is following a standardised method, ISO13136: 2012 with inclusion of serotype O104:H4 according to the European regulation 209/2013 of 11 March 2013 with methodology defined in the EU Reference Laboratory for E. coli- EU RL Method_food_2 REV.2

ALS offers the testing services of detection for verotoxin-producing E.coli genes and typing for E. coli VTEC serotypes (O26, O103, O104:H4, O111, O145, O157:H7) – Real Time PCR.

Our laboratories also offer the services of E. coli count and analyses in foodstuffs and surfaces.