Non-specialist enterohaemorrhagic E coli (EHEC) test available:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A routine test for enterohaemorrhagic E coli (EHEC) has been developed by the Robert Koch Institut (Germany). EHEC testing has until now only been possible in specialist laboratories. The new test consists of a culture medium containing ovine red blood cells, which are destroyed by an enzyme produced by 90% of EHEC found in patients. A test substrate, such as stool, is added and a result can be obtained within 24 hours.