Thursday, April 20, 2000

DARIEN, IL----Eichrom Technologies, Inc. has invented the eclipse™ E. coli O157:H7 test to easily confirm for the presence of the :H7 pathogen while performing general water safety testing. Water contaminated with this E. coli subspecies poses a serious threat to the general public. A majority of laboratories currently use Colilert® and Colisure™ tests from IDEXX to detect total coliform and E. coli in water samples. The same positive cultured samples obtained from these IDEXX tests can be readily used with eclipse™ E. coli O157:H7 test devices to confirm the presence or absence of the :H7 species without further culturing. Samples containing E. coli O157:H7 DO NOT fluoresce in the IDEXX tests. Therefore, a sample testing positive for total coliform in either of the IDEXX tests, regardless of the fluorescent reaction, may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

Eichrom's eclipse™ E. coli O157:H7 test is designed for enhanced specificity for the :H7 species while offering a sensitivity level able to detect one viable cell per sample. This enhanced specificity reduces the occurrence of false positive test results, offers quick results and is easy to use and read.

If you are interested in ensuring safety by detecting E. coli O157:H7 in your water samples, visit Eichrom's web site at www.eprogen.com. For additional information, e-mail Eichrom at info@eprogen.com or call Cara Tomasek at 630.963.1481.