title: Synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes to detect verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in diseased pigs.
abstract: Oligonucleotide probes constructed from the sequences published for Shiga-like toxin I (SLT-I) and Shiga-like toxin II (SLT-II) genes and antibody against the purified toxins were used to study the SLT (SLT-IIp) produced by porcine E. coli O138 and O139 strains. By DNA hybridization assays no homology was observed between SLT-I and SLT-IIp. By contrast the oligonucleotide probe derived from the slt-II A gene detected porcine strains of E. coli producing SLT-IIp and E. coli strains associated with human disease producing SLT-II. Homology of nucleotide sequences between SLT-IIp and SLT-II is reflected by serological cross-reactivity as demonstrated by a dot blot ELISA and neutralization of SLT-IIp with anti-SLT-II. The toxins were distinguishable in their ability to kill HeLa S-3 cells. The oligonucleotide probe and anti-SLT-II can facilitate identification of SLT-IIp producing E. coli to further clarify their role in diseased pigs.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universitätskrankenhauses Eppendorf, Hamburg, F.R.G.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bitzan
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sandkamp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1; D022641:Shiga Toxin 2; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D015342:DNA Probes; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1; D022641:Shiga Toxin 2