Development of DNA probes for cytotoxin and enterotoxin genes in enteric bacteria

DNA probes to identify the genes encoding toxins in enteric bacteria have been developed. Use of these probes reduces the number of animals required for toxicity testing, as suspect bacteria can be directly tested for the presence of toxin. We have augmented the gene probes available by developing probes against the Escherichia coli enterotoxin LTII and shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae 1. The LTII gene from E. coli 357900 was identified and characterised and a suitable internal probe was obtained. The LTII gene was found not to be common among enterobacteriae from various geographical locations. Isolates predominately of animal origin from Nigeria and Thailand hybridized with the probe. The shiga toxin gene was isolated from S. dysenteriae 1 by a combination of in vivo and in vitro methods. An internal probe was identified and used against different serogroups of Shigella and E. coli isolates. The probe was found to hybridize with S. dysenteriae 1 isolates and also some S. flexneri and S. sonnei strains. Representatives were tested for toxin production and found to produce toxin at low levels.