Toxin Testing - PCR

PCR-based testing of: Shigella spp. for stx1*, ipaH.

Isolate from urine, stool, blood, environmental, food, other.

Isolate provided on culture medium.

Send as growth on culture medium or in transport medium. Organisms should be sent as cultures.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Gastroenteritis, septicemia, infection, other.

Completed Enteric Diseases Program requisition form.

* This test is accredited.

stx1 – shigatoxin (toxin secreted into extracellular milieu); cause mild-bloody diarrhea, can lead to HUS

ipaH – Invasion Plasmid Antigen H gene; thought to play to role in invasiveness; most common target gene for detection of Shigella spp.

PCR-based identification of genes encoding toxins and virulence factors based on the following references and Standard Operating Procedures.

7 calendar days (unless prior notification that the sample is urgent)

1. Paton, A.W. and Paton, J. C. 1997. Detection and Characterization of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli by using Multiplex PCR Assays for stx1, stx2, eaeA, Enterohemorrhagic E.coli hlyA, rfb0111, and rfb0157. J. of Clin. Micro. 36: 598 - 602.
2. Clark, C. G., A. N. Kravetz, C. Dendy, G. Wang, K. D. Tyler, and W. M. Johnson. 1998. Investigation of the 1994-5 Ukrainian Vibrio cholerae epidemic using molecular methods. Epidemiol. Infect. 121:15-29.
3. Sethabutr, O., M. Venkatesan, G. S. Murphy, B. Eampokalap, C. W. Hoge, and P. Echeverria. 1993. Detection of Shigellae and Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli by Amplification of the Invasion Plasmid Antigen H DNA Sequence in Patients with Dysentery. J. of Infect. Dis. Jan 167; 458-461.