Merck Millipore Duopath Verotoxin and Singlepath E. coli O157 tests

The recent outbreak of an EHEC (enterohaemorrhagic ) E. coli pathogen in Germany and other regions has infected hundreds of people. The infection is thought to be spread primarily through the consumption of contaminated food.

A common key feature of these highly pathogenic serovars of the EHEC group is the build-up of toxins, which can be used to detect this group. Verotoxins are also called Shiga-like toxins, and are divided into verotoxin 1 and verotoxin 2. Merck Millipore’s Duopath Verotoxin is a simple, quick, lateral flow test which can be used to detect VT1 and/or VT2. The serogroup O157 (including H7) and other serovars, such as O26, O103, O111, O145 and O14, can thus be detected indirectly by detecting verotoxins.

The product range also includes Singlepath E. coli O157, which detects the most common serogroup of pathogenic E. coli, O157 which has been known about for a long time. Using an immunological quick test, detection is faster than classic microbiological methods. It is easy to use and no additional instruments are required.

The Duopath Verotoxin and Singlepath E. coli O157 tests make detection of EHEC bacteria significantly easier than standard methods. They are simple, quick lateral flow tests. The one-step design is convenient, which reduces errors in application. Following an overnight enrichment process, the kit delivers a positive or negative result 20 minutes from inoculation of the test.