Escherichia coli

Information and advice for E coli

For information and advice on all aspects of microbiology relating to the services below contact Dr Geraldine Smith or Tom Cheasty

Reference services available:

• Species identification of the genus Escherichia
• E. coli serotyping
• E. coli O157 phage typing
• Detection, typing and subtyping of Verocytotoxin (VT) genes by PCR
• Identification by PCR of virulence genes in VTEC and in strains that may belong to other groups of E. coli associated with diarrhoeal illness.  These enterovirulent E. coli include: enteropathogenic (EPEC), enteroaggregative (EAggEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteroinvasive (EIEC), and diffusely-adherent (DAEC) strains.
• Comparison of VTEC O157 isolates from human, animal and food sources by pulsed gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for epidemiological investigations
• Typing of VTEC O157 by variable number tandem repeat analysis (VNTR) for surveillance and epidemiology.

Diagnostic services:

For information and advice on all aspects relating to serodiagnostic tests listed below contact Dr Henrik Chart or Tom Cheasty. For the testing of faecal samples for enterovirulent E. coli contact Dr Geraldine Smith

• Serodiagnosis of E. coli O157 infection (detection of antibodies to O157 lipopolysaccharide in serum and saliva)
• Serodiagnosis of Salmonella Typhi, Paratyphi  A,B and C
• Examination of faecal samples from appropriate clinical cases for VTEC other than those of serogroup O157.
• Testing of faecal samples for other enterovirulent E. coli: enteropathogenic (EPEC), enteroaggregative (EAggEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteroinvasive (EIEC), and diffusely-adherent (DAEC).

How to obtain services:

• For further information on laboratory services see the LGP Laboratory User Manual.
• PDF copies of Laboratory User Manuals and Referral Request Forms are available from the index of tests and services.
• Identification and typing: Please send pure culture on nutrient agar slopes for suspected Hazard Group 3 organisms please ensure the correct packaging protocols are followed.
• Serodiagnosis a minimum 200μl of serum is required.
• For all URGENT submissions, prior notification by telephone from the sending laboratory should be given.

Other information:

E.coli  fact sheet

Last reviewed: 25 November 2011