Application of multiplex PCR for detection of non-O157 verocytotoxin- producing Escherichia coli in bloody stools: Identification of serogroups O26 and O111

Abstract

primers were designed to amplify sequences of verocytotoxin genes and eaeA genes of Escherichia coli O26: H11, O111:H8, and O157:H7 in a multiplex Pcr assay. This assay successfully detected E. coli O26:H11 in bloody stool specimens in which other enteric pathogens were not detected by culture- based methods. Rapid assays to detect non-O157:H7 verocytotoxin-producing E. coli is important to improve methods for the etiologic diagnosis of hemorrhagic colitis.