In November 2006, our Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene Graz took over the tasks of the National Reference Laboratory for escherichia coli including verotoxin-forming e. coli for food and feed, subsequently also for the veterinary sector, and since 01.01.2010 additionally the tasks of the corresponding National Reference Center for human samples.

• Detection of EIEC, EPEC, ETEC, EAggEC and VTEC in human stool samples;
• Isolation and cultural detection of VTEC from human stool, food, and environmental samples using selective nutrient media, immunomagnetic separation, slide agglutination, and PCR;
• Confirmation and typing of submitted isolates by biochemical and molecular biological methods;
• Serotyping;
• Fine typing of VTEC: typing of shigatoxin genes (PCR), subtyping of shigatoxin genes and typing of other virulence genes (whole genome sequencing);
• Identification of epidemiological correlations using whole genome sequencing data;
• Detection of specific antibodies in HUS in human serum;
• Keeping a master collection of all human, veterinary, feed and food isolates;
• Clarification of sources and routes of infection in the context of outbreak investigations;
• Advising on issues of diagnostics, reporting requirements, epidemiology, food safety, prevention or preventive measures;