How can I isolate and identify E. coli O157:H7?
A. An initial screen can be performed by looking for clear colonies on MacConkey with Sorbitol (Cat. no. G36) or better yet, CT-SMAC (Cefixime Tellurite-Sorbitol MacConkey) Agar (Cat. no. G129). CT-SMAC is more selective for E. coli O157 and reduces your false-positives. CT-SMAC is currently being recommended by many Public Health Departments. These colonies can then be tested by latex agglutination with Hardy’s “E. coliPRO O157™ Kit” (Cat. no. PL070HD). To test for the flagella H7 antigen use Denka Seiken’s “Antiserum Tube Test” (Cat. no. 295569). Please contact us for more information and product information sheets.
