What is in the Escherichia coli Detection Panel

The Escherichia coli panel from Igenesis targets five diarrheagenic strains responsible for the majority of clinically relevant E. coli-associated diarrhea:

• Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)

• Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)

• Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)

• Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC / STEC)

• Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)

Each strain is identified through a unique gene combination using PCR melting curve analysis. The test requires minimal pre-analytical handling and fits seamlessly into existing molecular workflows.

A single reaction tube detects 12 targets across the five strains using specific primers and probes. All reactions occur in the self-contained DEC5 iCassette, which is compatible with fully automated Igenesis systems.

Role of Escherichia coli Subtypes in Disease

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains are a leading cause of acute gastrointestinal illness globally. Their detection and differentiation are critical for targeted treatment, infection control, and epidemiology:

• EHEC/STEC: Causes bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Identified via stx1 and stx2.

• EPEC: Common in infantile diarrhea. Carries eae and bfpB.

• ETEC: A major cause of traveler’s diarrhea, defined by elt, sth, and stp genes.

• EAEC: Persistent diarrhea in children and immunocompromised hosts, marked by aggR, astA, and pic.

• EIEC: Invasive and similar in pathology to Shigella, characterized by ipaH and uidA markers.

This targeted Escherichia coli panel allows precise strain-level classification, crucial for infection management and containment.

About the Five Strains of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Kit

The Five Strains of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Multi-Target Nucleic Acid Detection Kit by Igenesis is a CE-marked multiplex diagnostic tool developed for use on the Galaxy Neo, Lite, and Pro qPCR platforms.

Each kit contains:

• 12 DEC5 iCassettes with integrated lysis, extraction, and amplification reagents

• Lyophilized primers and enzymes targeting strain-specific genes

• Positive and negative control materials

• Sterile water for reconstitution

The test identifies each strain based on melting temperature (Tm) values that correspond to individual targets, such as eae, stx1/2, elt, ipaH, and others.

Batch-specific QR codes allow the Galaxy system to automatically recognize and execute the corresponding protocol, enhancing traceability and reducing human error.

Principle and Workflow

This Escherichia coli multiplex test uses multiplex PCR combined with melting curve analysis:

1. Sample Prep: Stool or anal swab is pretreated with sterile saline or water.

2. Cassette Loading: The sample is added to the iCassette, closed, and inserted into the instrument.

3. Automation: The Galaxy system performs lysis, nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and analysis.

4. Melting Curve Analysis: Each gene target produces a unique Tm curve; software interprets the result automatically.

5. Result Output: Results are saved and displayed with full Tm breakdown for strain identification.

The iCassette format ensures that all processing remains within a sealed environment, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring biosafety.

Clinical Application

The Escherichia coli detection kit is ideal for:

• Hospital diagnostic laboratories requiring rapid turnaround

• Infection control programs monitoring enteric outbreaks

• Public health institutions conducting surveillance of E. coli-related diseases

• Research labs studying diarrheagenic strain dynamics and resistance

Thanks to its comprehensive coverage and automation-ready format, this panel supports high-throughput, reliable detection of clinically relevant E. coli subtypes, making it a powerful tool in modern molecular diagnostics.