BioControl products for testing:

Assurance GDS E. coli O157:H7
(AOAC Official Method 2005.04)

Assurance EHEC EIA
(AOAC Official Method 996.10)

SimPlate Coliforms & E. coli

VIP for EHEC
(AOAC Official Method 996.09)

Name:
E. coli O157:H7

Under the scope:
Gram negative straight rods with variable motility

On the plate:
MacConkey Sorbitol Agar w/BCIG: typical colonies are neutral/gray with a smoky center
TC-SMAC: typical colonies are neutral/gray with a smoky center

In the incubator:
Optimal growth at 37° C

Illnesses caused:
Bloody diarrhea and cramping, little to no fever and hemolytic uremic syndrome

In the kitchen:
Outbreaks have been associated with: beef, raw milk, unpasteurized apple juice, yogurt, mayonnaise/mayonnaise-based products, cantaloupe, radish sprouts, dry cured salami, alfalfa sprouts, municipal/lake/pool/water supply, school lunches, ham and turkey sandwiches, raw potatoes, and person to person.

Challenges of testing:
Low level of occurrence relative to other organisms in the sample. Enrichment and isolation media are not generally selective enough. Both factors make cultural identification and confirmation very difficult.

More information:
1-800-245-0113
BioControl Technical Support