The study of the pathogenesis of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections encompasses many different disciplines, including clinical microbiology, diagnostics, animal ecology, and food safety, as well as the cellular microbiology of both bacterial pathogenesis and the mechanisms of toxin action. E. coli: Shiga Toxin Methods and Protocols aims to bring together a number of experts from each of these varied fields in order to o- line some of the basic protocols for the diagnosis and study of STEC pat- genesis. We hope that our book will prove a valuable resource for the clinical microbiologist as well as the cellular microbiologist. For the clinical microbiologist, our aim is to detail a number of current protocols for the detection of STEC in patient samples, each of which have their own advantages. Chapter 1 provides an introduction into the medical significance of STEC infections. Chapters 2?7 follow with protocols for the diagnosis and detection of STEC bacteria in patient and animal samples.