Laboratory diagnostics of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in the National Reference Laboratory for E. coli and Shigella and methodological guideliness for clinical laboratories

Abstract

We provide methodological information about laboratory diagnostics of infections caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains with a particular emphasis on molecular methods. We also report on the implementation of the whole-genome sequencing for the detection of national and international outbreaks caused by these pathogens.

Keywords

• National Reference Laboratory for E. coli and Shigella
• E. coli
• pathotype
• virulence factors
• Shiga toxins
• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
• hemolytic-uremic syndrome
• serogroup
• pathogenicity
• whole genome sequencing
• cluster
• methodological guidelines