Antisera for E.coli O 104.

Antisera for E.coli O 104.

Thanks:

Brent Barrett,Greenwood, Indiana

salbrent@sbcglobal.net

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Escherichia and Klebsiella at Statens Serum Institut suggests the use of K9 and O104 antisera for screening and confirmation of E. coli O104. Both O104 and K9 antisera are available from SSI Diagnostica

The bacterium E.coli O104:H4 has been identified as the cause of the ongoing outbreak in Northern Germany and belongs to the pathogenic group of E. coli which produces verocytotoxins (VT). VTEC strains can cause bloody diarrhoea and eventually lead to kidney failure in the form of haemolytic ureamic syndrome (HUS).

As of May 29, 15:00 CET, a total of 329 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) was reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) since the beginning of May 2011, including three deaths. Of all cases, 71% were female and 88% 20 years or older

http://www.ssi.dk/English/SSI%20Diagnostica/SSI%20Diagnostica%20news/2011/Use%20K9%20serum%20to%20screen%20for%20E%20coli%20O104.aspx

FDA statement on E. coli O104 outbreak in Europe

Thanks: FDA.

FDA statement on E. coli O104 outbreak in Europe

SILVER SPRING, Md., June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. FDA has been in routine contact with the European Union and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor the current outbreak of E. coli O104 and to track any illnesses in the U.S. that may be related to the outbreak.

At this time, the Robert Koch Institute, the disease control and prevention public health agency of Germany, has not yet identified the definitive source of the infectious agent causing the outbreak, but has recommended that consumers in Germany avoid raw tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.

To date, FDA believes that this outbreak has not affected the U.S. food supply. The FDA is constantly vigilant and consistently takes steps to increase monitoring, as appropriate, in situations such as this, to protect the U.S. food supply.

The U.S. receives relatively little fresh produce from the EU, particularly at this time of year. Due to the short shelf life of most fresh produce and the availability of growing areas in the U.S. and Central America, the EU is not a significant source of fresh produce for this country.

In response to the outbreak in Europe, as a safety precaution, FDA established certain additional import controls. FDA is currently conducting increased surveillance of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and raw salads from areas of concern.

"When these products are presented for import, we will sample them, and we will analyze them," said Dara Corrigan, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, who is responsible for U.S. FDA border activities. "The FDA will not allow any products found to be contaminated to enter the U.S., and, if contamination is found, will flag future shipments for appropriate action.