Multiplex PCR assay for identification of human diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

Abstract

A multiplex PCR assay for the identification of human diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was developed. The targets selected for each category were eae for enteropathogenic E. coli, stx for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, elt and est for enterotoxigenic E. coli, ipaH for enteroinvasive E. coli, and aggR for enteroaggregative E. coli. This assay allowed the categorization of a diarrheagenic E. coli strain in a single reaction tube.

FIG. 1.

Agarose gel electrophoresis of products from multiplex PCR with control strains. Lanes: 1, 100-bp DNA ladder; 2, E22-5 (EPEC); 3, E23-8 (EPEC); 4, O111-19 (STEC); 5, O157-29 (STEC); 6, O157-6 (STEC); 7, EBa 35 (ETEC); 8, O126-53 (ETEC); 9, KNH172 (ETEC); 10, O126-32 (EAEC); 11, O111-15 (EAEC); 12, C-481 (EIEC); 13, D36f (EIEC); 14, O115-3 (negative control).