The International Centre for Reference and Research on Escherichia, Shigella and Klebsiella

The Laboratory is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for typing of E. coli, Shigella and Klebsiella. The Centre participates in research projects in Denmark and abroad. It provides advice and counselling on detection and typing.

Updated 30 June 2026

The Centre is part of Section of Foodborne Infections, which is also coordinating the EU Reference Laboratory for Public Health on Food- and Water-borne Bacteria, EURL-PH-FWDB.

Analyses

Serotyping of Escherichia coli: Complete characterisation of bacterial somatic (O-), flagella- (H-) and capsular- (K-) antigens
Virulence characterisation: Detection of relevant virulence factors (adhesins, toxins etc.) using DNA techniques and inoculation of cell cultures. Production of Shiga toxin
Whole genome sequencing – especially on STEC. in silico analyses provide information on both the O:H serotype and the virulence profile of an E. coli isolate.

The majority of routine analyses are accredited by DANAK according to ISO 17025.

Characterisation provides information on which of the following groups an E. coli isolate belongs to:
STEC	Shiga toksin-producing E. coli (synonymous with Vero cytotoksin-producing E. coli (VTEC)
AEEC	Attaching and Effacing E. coli (eae positive, non-classical EPEC)
EPEC	Enteropatogenic E. coli. (Classical and new O:H serotypes); an updated list can be obtained from Flemming Scheutz
EIEC	Enteroinvasive E. coli
ETEC	Enterotoxigenic E. coli including isolates, that are positive for astA
EAEC	Enteroaggregative E. coli
DAEC	Diffusely Adherent E. coli
ExPEC	Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. coli
UPEC	Uropathogenic E. coli

1. Non-accredited analyses

Subtyping of the genes for Shiga toxin (stx1 and stx2). Sero- and virulence typing of isolates from urinary tract infections, blood and meningitis. Whole genome sequencing.

Reference functions

2. Technical expertise

Evaluation of bacterial virulence, of contamination in production facilities, eg. by ongoing surveillance as part of quality control and specifically in situations where unwanted transmission has occurred.

3. Advice and counselling

The Centre can assist in evaluations of possible transmission routes and risk assessments if relevant.

Reports

Pathogenicity assessment of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and the public health risk posed by contamination of food with STEC
Zoonoses Annual Report (The Zoonoses Annual Report provides data on the Danish STEC surveillance)
STEC is a notifiable disease in Denmark and reported in EPI-NEWS
External quality assessment scheme for typing of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli, self-funded participants, 2014-2015 EQA self-funded report 2014-2015 (pdf)
External quality assessment scheme for typing of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli, self-funded participants, 2015-2016 EQA self-funded report 2015-2016 (pdf)

Projects, activities and research

Standardisation of serotyping techniques
Molecular methods for typing of virulent E. coli isolates
Serological typing of the Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule funded by the Gates Foundation

Quality programmes

The Centre organises European and international External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes on typing of foodborne bacteria. Reports on the European EQAs from previous years can be found at EQAs in FWD-Net and fwdamr-reflabcap.
Links to the EQAs organised by the EURL-PH-FWDB, starting in 2026, are available at eurl-ph-fwdb.

Links

Contact

Susanne Schjørring , Bakterier, parasitter og svampe / Tarmbakteriologisk laboratorium
T. +45 32688341 @. ssc@ssi.dk View profile

Contact

Kasper Rømer Villumsen , Bakterier, parasitter og svampe / Fødevarebårne Infektioner
T. +45 32683252 @. kvil@ssi.dk View profile