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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 1998, p. 3182-3187, Vol. 36, No. 11
Department of Microbiology, The University of
Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
Received 18 May 1998/Returned for modification 7 July 1998/Accepted 24 July 1998
Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli strains of
serogroup O111 are the most frequently isolated non-O157 strains
causing outbreaks of gastroenteritis with hemolytic-uremic syndrome.
The O111 O-antigen gene cluster had been cloned and about half of it
has been sequenced; we have now sequenced the remainder of the gene
cluster, which is 12.5 kb in length and which comprises 11 genes. On
the basis of sequence similarity, we have identified all the O-antigen
genes expected, including five sugar biosynthetic pathway genes, three
transferase genes, the O-unit flippase gene, and the O-antigen
polymerase gene. By PCR testing with E. coli strains
representing all 166 O-antigen forms, some randomly selected gram-negative bacteria, and Salmonella enterica serovar
Adelaide, we showed that four O-antigen genes are highly specific to
O111. This work provides the basis for a sensitive test for the rapid detection of E. coli O111. This is important both for
decisions related to patient care, because early treatment may reduce
the risk of life-threatening complications, and for the detection of
sources of contamination.
0095-1137/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Sequencing of Escherichia coli O111
O-Antigen Gene Cluster and Identification of O111-Specific
Genes
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of
Microbiology (G08), The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. Phone: (612) 9351 2536. Fax: (612) 9351 4571. E-mail:
reeves{at}angis.su.oz.au.
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