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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, October 1999, p. 3362-3365, Vol. 37, No. 10
Molecular Microbiology Unit, Women's and
Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, S.A. 5006, Australia
Received 17 May 1999/Returned for modification 3 July 1999/Accepted 19 July 1999
Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are a
diverse group of organisms associated with severe gastrointestinal and systemic diseases in humans. Within the STEC family,
eae-positive STEC strains, particularly those belonging to
serogroups O157 and O111, appear to have greater virulence for humans.
However, in spite of being eae negative, STEC strains
belonging to serogroup O113 have frequently been associated with cases
of severe STEC disease, including hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). We
have developed a modified multiplex PCR assay for detection of STEC
strains belonging to these three serogroups in cultures of feces by
using primers specific for portions of the genetic loci
(rfb) encoding biosynthesis of the respective O antigen.
These primers direct amplification of PCR products of 259, 406, and 593 bp for serogroups O157, O111, and O113, respectively. The assay was
validated by testing 40 previously characterized STEC strains, with
100% agreement. It also detected STEC strains of the appropriate
genotype in primary fecal cultures from 13 patients with HUS or bloody
diarrhea. Thirty other primary fecal cultures from patients without
evidence of STEC infection were negative.
0095-1137/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Direct Detection of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli
Strains Belonging to Serogroups O111, O157, and O113 by Multiplex
PCR
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Molecular
Microbiology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide,
S.A. 5006, Australia. Phone: 61-8-8204 6302. Fax: 61-8-8204 6051. E-mail: patonj{at}wch.sa.gov.au.
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