Detection of six E.coli O157 virulence genes in water samples using multiplex PCR [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Escherichia coli O157 strains have emerged as important human enteric pathogens. E.coli O157 strains may be transmitted in a variety of ways, including drinking water, recreational water and wastewater. One hundred and seventy five water samples were collected from different water sources from June 2010 to July 2011 and examined for classical bacterial indicators (total bacterial counts at 37°C and 22°C, total coliforms, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci) and E.coli O157. Total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS) among the collected water samples were 83, 76 and 76 out of 175 (MPN- index/100 ml) with incidence ratio of 47%, 43% and 43%, respectively. Escherichia coli O157 was detected in water samples using HiCrome EC O157:H7 agar and multiplex PCR targeting six virulence genes (stxl (Shiga toxin 1 gene), stx2 (Shiga toxin 2 gene), eae (intimin gene), hlyA (hemolysin gene), rfbE (O157 antigen gene), and fliC (flagellar antigen gene)}. Keywords: E.coli O157, Virulence gene, Multiplex PCR, Water

Summary in Arabic.

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