Functional assay for shiga-like toxin via detection by antibody capture and multivalent galabiose binding.

A functional detection assay was developed for Escherichia coli secreted shiga-like toxin based on antibody capture and visualization with a multivalent galabiose ligand. It was possible to detect verotoxin in medically relevant E. coli samples in a dose dependent fashion. This method is a new step towards measuring functional protein levels in complex mixtures, which can be used for diagnostic purposes in a clinical setting.