Multiplex PCR for enterotoxigenic, attaching and effacing, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains from calves

Abstract

A multiplex PCR was developed to identify enterotoxigenic, attaching and effacing, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains by amplifying genes encoding K99 and F41 fimbriae, heat-stable enterotoxin a, intimin, and Shiga toxins 1 and 2. This multiplex PCR was specific and sensitive. It will be useful for identification of E. coli strains which cause diarrhea in calves.

FIG. 1

Multiplex PCR of reference strains. DNA from reference strains was used as template DNA for PCR. Products were separated on a 3% agarose gel and compared to a positive control. Bands corresponding to Stx1, eaeA, F41, K99, STa, and Stx2 are indicated. Lane A, strain B41; lane B, strain B44; lane C, strain 431; lane D, strain 637; lane E, strain 3081; lane F, strain 933; lane G, strain CHMC6; lane H, strain E2348-69; lane I, RDEC-1.