Search for Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) including 0157: H7 strains in and around Kolkata.
OBJECTIVE
An attempt was made to isolate and characterize Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) from animals handlers, animal products and admitted diarrhoeic children in and around Kolkata.


METHODS
A total of 415 samples were processed for detection of STEC by PCR and colony hybridization techniques.


RESULTS
0 (4.81%) samples were found to be positive for STEC. Diarrhoeic cattle accounted for maximum (22.1 %) isolation.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed PCR to be more sensitive than hybridization technique for detection of STEC.
Chattopadhyay
U K
UK
Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata - 700 073, India.
Gupta
S
S
Dutta
S
S