News
Sep 21, 2025 - Foods
EHEC: Exotic serovars facilitate clarification
In solving the mysterious clustering of EHEC cases (enterohemorrhagic E. coli strains) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - we reported on 08/28/25 - a step has now been taken forward with the help of the national reference center at the RKI (Wernigerode branch): it concerns the very rare serovar O45:2. It has been detected only 13 times among nearly 11,000 isolates in the last 10 years! These "historical" strains show no relationship to the current outbreak strain.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the actual cause of the outbreak is still unclear. Previous interviews with patients or their parents have not yielded any concrete clues about a possible causative food or other source of infection, it is reported. They are working very closely with the BVL and the BfR on this matter.
In our laboratory, we regularly conduct tests for Escherichia coli, STEC/VTEC, among others. Benefit from our expertise and our broad methodological spectrum (rapid testing methods, serotyping - including O45 see above -, enrichment methods, etc.).
Interested in further information? Read our BAV fact sheets:
- What is the significance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in food?
- What is the significance of EHEC/STEC/VTEC in food?
Your questions? Our customer advisors are happy to assist you.
Sources/notes:
- www.rki.de
- www.bav-institut.de