AES CHEMUNEX presents an alternative detection method for ESBL- E. coli, including the O104:H4 strain, causing the present outbreak in Germany.

The protocol is easy to carry out: one enrichment step in BPW at 37°C for 24h, followed by an isolation on the SEMIA chromogenic plate incubated at 37°C for 24h.

Suspicious ESBL-E. coli form blue-green colonies on SEMIA.

The blue-green colouration results from production of Ss-glucuronidase which is associated with resistance to Ceftazidime making this medium highly specific.

The use of an antibiotic mix greatly enhances inhibition of any background flora and makes reading and interpretation easy.

Please note that AES CHEMUNEX also offers E. coli antisera (O104 and H4) for serotyping.