Patent ID: 6204004
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for diagnosing active infection of enterohemmorhagie E. coli (EHEC) comprising the steps of:(1) obtaining a body fluid or tissue sample from a subject who is suspected of being infected with EHEC while said subject is exhibiting symptoms of EHEC infection, said symptoms selected from the group consisting of diarrhea, bloody diarrhea or hemolytic uremic syndrome;(2) contacting said body fluid or tissue sample with an E. coli secreted protein (Esp) selected from the group consisting essentially of EspA or EspB;(3) using said Esp protein to detect the presence of antibodies which, are specific to said Esp protein in said body fluid or tissue sample, said antibodies recognizing said Esp protein and binding thereto; and(4) examining said Esp protein for the presence of said bound antibody, wherein the presence of said bound antibody indicates active infection with EHEC.