Use of the espZ gene encoded in the locus of enterocyte effacement for molecular typing of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) result in frequent cases of sporadic and outbreak-associated enteric bacterial disease in humans. Classification of STEC is by stx genotype (encoding the Shiga toxins), O and H antigen serotype, and seropathotype (subgroupings based upon the clinical relevance and virulence-related genotypes of individual serotypes). The espZ gene is encoded in the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island responsible for the attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions caused by various E. coli pathogens (but not limited to STEC), and this individual gene ( approximately 300 bp) has previously been identified as hypervariable among these A/E pathogens. Sequence analysis of the espZ locus encoded by additional STEC serotypes and strains

SUBMITTER: Gilmour MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1392676 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature