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Plasmid-coded DNA fragment developed as a specific gene probe for the identification of enteroaggregative Escherichia
C Debroy1, B D Bright, R A Wilson
1Department of Veterinary Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Abstract:
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.