Proficiency tests on detection, identification and typing methods organized by the EURL-VTEC, are conducted for the NRLs for E. coli. The anonymized overall results of the studies are available in the final reports published on the Proficiency Tests section of the website. Participants can download their own individual reports directly from the Restricted Area of the EURL-VTEC website. The EU DG SANCO has access to the results of the single EU NRLs.
In the same section is also available the procedure named EURL-VTEC Evaluation of the NRL performance in the identification of the virulence genes of pathogenic E. coli.
The section is divided in:
PTs on the identification and typing of pathogenic E. coli strains
The PT scheme on the identification and typing of pathogenic E. coli strains aims at evaluating and improving the capability of the NRLs to identify the main virulence genes and serogroups of STEC and other pathogenic E. coli strains. All the Laboratory methods employed in the PT schemes are provided to the participating laboratories and are also available in the dedicated section of the website.
PTs on the detection of pathogenic E. coli in food and related matrices
The PT scheme on the detection of pathogenic E. coli aims at evaluating and improving the capacity of the NRLs to detect the presence of STEC and other pathogenic E. coli in food and related matrices. The Laboratory methods employed include the ISO methods for the detection of STEC, ISO/TS 13136:2012, as well as other methods developed by the EURL and available in the dedicated section of the website.
PTs on molecular typing of pathogenic E. coli strains
The PT scheme on molecular typing of pathogenic E. coli strains aims at evaluating and improving the capacity of the NRLs to perform molecular typing of the isolates, to best accomplish the duty of contributing to the upcoming European database of molecular typing data managed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). From 2018, these PT schemes include methods based on NGS.
The PT reports are all available online.
