Analysis of the F antigen-specific papA alleles of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli using a novel multiplex PCR-based assay.

ABSTRACT: Polymorphisms in PapA, the major structural subunit and antigenic determinant of P fimbriae of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli, are of considerable epidemiological, phylogenetic, and immunotherapeutic importance. However, to date, no method other than DNA sequencing has been generally available for their detection. In the present study, we developed and rigorously validated a novel PCR-based assay for the 11 recognized variants of papA and then used the new assay to assess the prevalence, phylogenetic distribution, and bacteriological associations of the papA alleles among 75 E. coli isolates from patients with urosepsis. In comparison with conventional F serotyping, the assay was extremely sensitive and specific, evidence that papA sequences are highly conserved within each of

SUBMITTER: Johnson JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC97319 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature