Structural analysis of phage-borne stx genes and their flanking sequences in shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae type 1 strains.

ABSTRACT: The stx-flanking regions of 49 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains and nine Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 strains containing either stx, stx(1), stx(2), or stx(2) variant genes, were examined. We analyzed these regions by PCR using a set of primers with one primer specific for the respective stx gene and a second primer complementary to sequences of Stx phages H-19B and 933W. We further characterized the amplification products by restriction endonuclease digestion and nucleotide sequencing. PCR products of stx(1)-containing E. coli strains of serogroups O157, O26, and 0103 showed the same lengths and similar restriction patterns. However, we failed to amplify the 3' stx-flanking region in stx(1)-harboring E. coli O111:H(-) strains. Stx2-producing E. coli strains revealed ampli

SUBMITTER: Unkmeir A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC101682 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature