Plasmid-coded DNA fragment developed as a specific gene probe for the identification of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli.
Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC) is a recently discovered diarrhoeal pathogen implicated as a cause of persistent diarrhoea in children. EAggEC strains exhibit a characteristic pattern of adherence when incubated with HEp-2 cells. Because of the difficulty in identifying this group of bacteria, the epidemiological significance of this pathogen as a diarrhoeal agent has not been fully realised. A gene probe was developed from the 60-MDa plasmid associated with EAggEC strains that encodes the genes for adherence and fimbriae. The sensitivity of the gene probe was 93% and the specificity 98% for detecting EAggEC isolates and is potentially useful for diagnostic and epidemiological studies.
Debroy
C
C
Department of Veterinary Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Bright
B D
BD
Wilson
R A
RA
Yealy
J
J
Kumar
R
R
Bhan
M K
MK
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000382:microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010641:Phenotype; D010957:Plasmids; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping
D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial