Characterization of atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) isolated from dogs.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), an important human pathogen has the ability to form attaching and effacing lesions on the intestinal epithelium and has been isolated from a wide range of species. Two EPEC subgroups are recognized: typical (tEPEC) and atypical (aEPEC) strains, differing by the presence of EAF plasmid and bundle-forming pilus (BFP) in typical strains and their absence in atypical strains. This study searched the presence of EPEC strains in 101 fecal samples of diarrheic (n=65) and non-diarrheic (n=36) dogs from two cities in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains isolated in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains have been implicated as important etiological agents of diarrheal disease, especially in developing countries. This group of microorganisms has been associated with a diverse range of genotypic and phenotypic markers. In the present study, 21 ETEC isolates previously defined according to the toxigenic genotypes, were characterized on the basis of O:H typing, cell adherence patterns, and colonization factors (CFs) antigens.