Shiga toxin (Stx)–producing
Escherichia coli (
STEC) and its subgroup
enterohemorrhagic E. coli are important pathogens involved in
diarrhea, which may be complicated by hemorrhagic
colitis and
hemolytic uremic syndrome, the leading cause of
acute renal failure in
children.
Early diagnosis is essential for clinical management, as an
antibiotic treatment in
STEC infections is not recommended. Previously obtained
antibodies against Stx1 and Stx2 toxins were employed to evaluate the
sensitivity and specificity of the
latex Agglutination test (LAT), lateral flow assay (LFA), and capture
ELISA (cEIA) for
STEC detection. The LAT (mAb Stx1 plus mAb stx2) showed 99%
sensitivity and 97%
specificity. Individually, Stx1
antibodies showed 95.5% and 94%
sensitivity and a
specificity of 97% and 99% in the cEIA and LFA assay, respectively. Stx2
antibodies showed a
sensitivity of 92% in both assays and a
specificity of 100% and 98% in the cEIA and LFA assay, respectively. These results allow us to conclude that we have robust tools for the
diagnosis of
STEC infections.