National Reference Laboratory for Escherichia coli (NRL E. colishort forEscherichia coli)

Bacteria of the species Escherichia coli (E. coli) are naturally occurring commensals (they do not harm their host) comprising part of the intestinal gut microbiota of birds, warm-blooded mammals and humans. Some strains of E. coli are, however, pathogenic and can cause serious diseases in animals and humans including the Shigatoxin-producing E. coli (STECshort forShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), also called verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTECshort forVero toxin-producing E. coli), that are important food-borne pathogens. These strains produce Shigatoxins and cause symptoms in humans ranging from (bloody) diarrhea to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Therefore, they are also referred to as enterohemorrhagic E. coli. In severe and complicated cases, the disease can result in long-term health damages (e.g. kidney failure) or even death.

STECshort forShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections are reported worldwide and are mainly due to the consumption of contaminated raw or insufficiently heated food products of animal origin (e.g. raw milk products, game or beef products). In addition, plant based foods like lettuce or sprouts can also be contaminated with STECshort forShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. In 2011, numerous HUS cases were linked to the consumption of STECshort forShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli contaminated sprouts. As a result, more than 50 people died in Germany.

The National Reference Laboratory for Escherichia coli (NRL E. colishort forEscherichia coli) is located at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The NRL focuses on the detection of virulenceClose dialogvirulenceVirulenceTo glossary properties in, as well as the serotyping and molecular differentiation of, pathogenic E. colishort forEscherichia coli isolates from various test materials (food, animal, and environment). Given the large number of virulence and pathogenicity factors described for E. colishort forEscherichia coli, the NRL E. colishort forEscherichia coli works continually on the improvement, development and standardization of methods for detection, isolation and characterization of this pathogen.

Primary foci of the NRL E. coli

• Performance of duties within the framework of the Zoonoses Directive 2003/99/EC
• Serotyping of E. colishort forEscherichia coli according to Orskov and Ewing (identification of 181 Oshort foroxygen-(lipopolysaccharide) and 56 H-(flagellar) antigens)
• Immunological methods (Shigatoxin ELISA)
• Rapid detection using PCR and real-time PCR
• Molecular typing/ strain differentiation (using real-time PCR, whole genome sequencing, PFGE)
• Participation in the identification and clarification of infection chains and food-borne outbreaks
• Organisation of and participation in multi-laboratory studies (proficiency tests and ring trials)
• Development and optimisation of methods for the detection of pathogenic E. colishort forEscherichia coli
• Management and maintenance of an E. colishort forEscherichia coli strain collection
• Providing assistance, scientific expertise and training courses