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STEC: The Pathogen You Can't Afford to Miss
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Although the U.S. food supply is generally considered safe, tens of millions of Americans get sick from foodborne illness every year, and some die, according to estimates from the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One bacterium that is part of this group of foodborne pathogens, and perhaps the best known by the public, is E. coli, in its serotype O157:H7 also known as STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli)
What is STEC and why is it a threat?
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the guts of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can cause severe foodborne disease. E. coli O157:H7 is the most important STEC serotype in relation to public health.
Impact in Human Health
It is transmitted to humans primarily through consumption of contaminated foods, such as raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk, and contaminated raw vegetables and sprouts. The infection may lead to a life-threatening disease, such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). HUS is characterized by acute renal failure, haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets).
Since harmless strains can coexist alongside dangerous strains in a food sample, it is essential to have a method that can accurately differentiate the pathogens of interest. Our selective chromogenic medium for STEC has been developed to facilitate this distinction, offering a quick and visual tool to identify suspicious colonies by their characteristic coloration, improving the efficiency of microbiological monitoring in the food industry.
Coli O157:H7 Chromogenic Agar Base (E05-112)
Description:
- Pale-pink: Escherichia coli O157:H7
- Total inhibition: Enterobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Enterocococcus and Staphylocococus
- Results in 24h
- Cefixime Tellurite Supplement Available (C03-157)
In an environment where prevention is key, and response times make a difference, having a Chromogenic medium that allows rapid detection of STEC marks a turning point in microbiological control. Not all E. coli are the same, and not all methods distinguish them.
Find out how our STEC chromogenic medium can strengthen your control and analysis system.
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