Direct PCR detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports a simple, rapid approach for the detection of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).


RESULTS
Direct PCR (DPCR) obviates the need for the recovery of cells from the sample or DNA extraction prior to PCR. Primers specific for Stx-encoding genes stx1 and stx2 were used in DPCR for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 added to environmental water samples and milk.


CONCLUSIONS
PCR reactions containing one cell yielded a DPCR product.


CONCLUSIONS
This should provide an improved method to assess contamination of environmental and other samples by STEC and other pathogens.
Fode-Vaughan
K A
KA
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Maki
J S
JS
Benson
J A
JA
Collins
M L P
ML
D000818:Animals; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D022641:Shiga Toxin 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014876:Water Pollution
D022622:Shiga Toxin 1; D022641:Shiga Toxin 2