Prevalence and distribution of the stx, stx genes in Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) isolates from cattle.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are human pathogens linked to hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2) are the major virulence factors of these strains. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and distribution of stx(1) and stx(2) gene in E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 strains isolated from cattle in Shiraz, Iran.

Materials and methods

Four hundred and twenty samples consisted of recto-anal mucosal swabs were collected from cattle. They were checked for the presence of the stx1 and stx2 gene using multiplex-PCR every 1 week over a 1-year period (2007-2008).

Results

A total of 146 strains carrying the stx1 and stx2 gene were isolated from 51 (12.14%) cattle. Overall, 15 (3.

SUBMITTER: Tahamtan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3279763 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature