Flow Cytometry

E. coli O157:H7

E. coli O157:H7 is a highly virulent pathogen implicated in food and waterborne outbreaks. Documented outbreaks include over 10,000 cases with several hundred deaths.

Existing methods for detection of E. coli O157:H7 in water are non-standardized, have poor sensitivity, or require enrichment steps resulting in assay times exceeding 72 hours.

The WSLH has developed a rapid flow cytometric assay capable of attaining presumptive positive results in less than 8 hours. Presumptive positives are confirmed using culture and PCR. The assay also improves sensitivity down to 10 organisms/500 mL, an acceptable level for public health investigations.

Please note that this test is offered as a research tool only.

2003 Poster by Marty Collins (WSLH) for ASM on E. Coli 0157 Work (660 KB, Powerpoint File)

2006 Poster by Marty Collins (WSLH) for ASM on E. coli O157 Work (1.8M, Powerpoint File)

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