E. coli 0157:H7 And Other Toxin Producing Strains
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538
Escherichia coli 0157:H7 or STEC (E. coli non-0157 Shiga-toxin positive)
E. coli infection (STEC)
Genus and species identification of bacterial enteric pathogen
This test is performed using a laboratory developed real-time PCR assay for the detection of Shig-like toxin genes stx1 and stx2 from the shigatoxigenic serotypes of Escherichia coli. The performance characteristics of this assay were validated by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories. It has not been approved nor cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Results are for epidemiological and investigational purposes only and may not be used as a substitute for diagnostic procedures nor to guide patient management decisions.
Isolate: Pure isolated colonies (<48 hours old) on appropriate tube or plated media sealed with parafilm or other appropriate barrier film.
Enteric broth such as GN Broth (incubated for at least 24 hours at 35°- 37°C). Store broths refrigerated at 2°- 8°C prior to shipment.
Stool: PRIOR APPROVAL is required for all primary stool specimens. Contact the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at (401) 222-5538. Minimum volume 2 mL collected in Cary Blair Transport Media or other suitable transport media. Store refrigerated at 2°-8°C.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Enteric Pathogen Isolate:
For Culture - Write "E. coli 0157:H7" under Comments/Other Test Requests
For Broth: Write "STEC positive broth" under Comments/Other Test Requests
Isolate: Transport within 48 hours of subculture at ambient temperature 25° - 35°C.
Refrigerated (Enteric broth or stool): Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
STEC positive broth is 'Catagory A'. Shipments that meet the definition for 'Category A' infectious substances as defined by federal regulation require additional packaging/labeling.
Pure isolate or STEC positive broth must be received
Negative for E. coli 0157:H7 or Shiga-toxin producing E. coli
Providers must report patient information on E. coli infection (Shiga toxin-producing) within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
Up to 7 business days
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens to the RISHL Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Labs and Laboratory Sendout Departments.