Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli detection in samples from Abruzzo and Molise regions, Italy

ConclusionsSTEC are a heavy hazard for the consumers and the number of cases is slightly increasing since 2015. Our results highlight a low number of presumptive positive samples and even lower number of STEC detection obtained with the ISO classical method. Furthermore, detection of the target genes in broth was rarely confirmed after plating, highlighting a weak point of the analytical method that needs to be investigated. Efforts are necessary to improve the method and the STEC confirmation from colonies. Immunomagnetic beads targeting the top five serogroups and digital PCR could help in increasing the recovery rate of cultivable STEC.Key messagesThe presumptive positive samples for STEC genes in foodstuffs from the Abruzzo and Molise regions are quite rare, even lower is the number of confirmed colonies by agar plate isolation.Specific immunomagnetic beads for the top five STEC serogroups could improve the method and the STEC colonies detection, increasing the recovery rate of cultivable strains.
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research