Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli Directly Detected from Stool

A rapid diagnostic can detect the potentially fatal Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), directly from a stool specimen.

The test offers significant advantages over other rapid cassette assays in that it removes the need for overnight bacterial culture preparation. The Shiga Toxin Quik Chek provides results up to 24 hours before other rapid tests, enabling clinicians to initiate patient care sooner and minimize the potential for broader bacterial outbreaks. The test’s considerably shorter sample preparation process also helps to simplify laboratory workflows.

Alere Inc., (Waltham, MA, USA) received confirmation that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Silver Spring, MD, USA) has cleared the TECHLAB (Blacksburg, VA, USA) Shiga Toxin Quik Chek test for the US market.

“The recent FDA clearance of our new Shiga Toxin E. coli test enhances Alere’s position as a market leader for enteric disease diagnostics and is a testament to our strong partnership with TECHLAB, Inc.,” said Jim Post, president of Alere North America. “By narrowing the diagnostic window from a day to 30 minutes, the Shiga Toxin Quik Chek promises to be a significant help to clinicians, facilitating more rapid patient care that leads to better outcomes, improving workflows, and reducing the potential for broader outbreaks.”

The Shiga Toxin Quik Chek is the newest addition to the Alere Enterics suite of Quik Chek assays developed and manufactured by TECHLAB, Inc. It combines the accuracy of an enzyme immunoassay with the speed and ease of use of a cassette. The Shiga Toxin Quik Chek requires few processing steps and provides differentiated results for Shiga Toxin 1 and 2 within 30 minutes of sample receipt, allowing for rapid diagnosis and prompt initiation of patient treatment.

Alere holds a 49% interest in TECHLAB, Inc. and has exclusive global distribution rights to the company’s line of enteric diagnostics. In addition to being cleared for use in the United States, the Shiga Toxin Quik Chek is CE marked and available in other worldwide markets.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are commonly associated with food- and water-borne outbreaks of diarrheal illness, and diagnostics for these bacteria account for approximately USD 16 million of the total enteric disease market. Shiga Toxin 1 and Shiga Toxin 2, produced singly or in combination by more than 200 different strains of STEC, are the enterohemorrhagic toxins that cause disease. O157 is the most well-known strain and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks in the past. Shiga Toxin Quik Chek detects toxins from both O157 and non-O157 strains of E. coli.

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