title: Genotypic study of verocytotoxic Escherichia coli isolates from deer by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was planned to study the genotypes of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) in fecal samples of deer due to its public health significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 160 fecal samples of deer were taken from Mathura district and Kanpur Zoo and screened for VTEC genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All fecal samples were positive for E. coli. All the E. coli isolates were screened by PCR to detect virulence genes stx1 , stx2 , eaeA, and hlyA. Of these, 15 isolates were found positive for VTEC having one or more genes in different combinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genes such as stx1 , stx2 , eaeA, and hlyA were prevalent in VTEC isolates from feces of deer. The presence of VTEC isolates having virulent genes may pose a threat to public health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary University, UP Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Raghavendra Prasad
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary University, UP Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Udit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Officer, Kanpur Zoo, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: deer; polymerase chain reaction; verocytotoxic Escherichia coli