In May, bioMérieux launched IDEA™ STEC, an advanced Immuno Detection Evolution Agar designed to simplify and enhance the confirmation step in the detection of Shigatoxin-producing E. Coli. As a world leader in in vitro diagnostics, bioMérieux partners with the food industry to help them anticipate emerging risks and maintain full control of their operations.

Escherichia coli is one of the most critical microbial hazards in the food industry and a major public health issue. Their sub-group Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are pathogens responsible for infections with a wide range of clinical outcomes, from mild watery diarrhea to hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – the latter being the leading cause of acute renal failure in young children.

The main modes of transmission of STEC to humans are the consumption of contaminated food and water, human-to-human transmission, and contact with carrier animals (particularly cattle).

With IDEA™ STEC, bioMérieux supports the prevention of STEC infections by helping food manufacturers ensure their products are contaminant-free. IDEA™ STEC is a patented and innovative culture media designed to simplify and enhance the confirmation step in the detection of STEC. This advanced agar represents a new generation of strategic tools, incorporating gold nanoparticles complexed with antibodies to enable immuno-capture of Shigatoxins produced by E. Coli - a cutting-edge technology that improves decision-making and strengthens result reliability.

This new medium allows the selective isolation of STEC strains (stx⁺) and, more specifically, typical EHEC strains (stx⁺ / eae⁺), significantly streamlining the confirmation process by making colony identification simpler, more reliable, and immediately recognizable.

IDEA™ STEC, fully integrated with GENE-UP® EHEC method and complemented by GENE-UP® Pathogenic E. Coli kit real-time PCR assays, boosts screening accuracy by reducing presumptive positives and improving confirmation rate on this complex analysis. This guarantees safer products for consumers, enables confident risk control with improved efficiency, and protects the reputation of food manufacturers. 

Thanks to these two innovations, GENE-UP^® Pathogenic E. Coli and IDEA™ STEC, the food industry can benefit from a streamlined workflow, increased efficiency, and faster, more reliable decision-making.

IDEA™ STEC is manufactured across two bioMérieux sites in France: Combourg and Marcy l’Étoile.