Delayed lactose utilization among Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli of serogroup O121.

Two outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121:H19 associated with wheat flour, in the United States of America and Canada, involved strains with an unusual phenotype, delayed lactose utilization (DLU). These strains do not ferment lactose when initially cultured on MacConkey agar (MAC), but lactose fermentation occurs following subculture to a second plate of MAC. The prevalence of DLU was determined by examining the β-galactosidase activity of 49 strains of E.

Choice of library preparation affects sequence quality, genome assembly, and precise in silico prediction of virulence genes in shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) provides essential public health information and is used worldwide for pathogen surveillance, epidemiology, and source tracking. Foodborne pathogens are often sequenced using rapid library preparation chemistries based on transposon technology; however, this method may miss random segments of genomes that can be important for accurate downstream analyses. As new technologies become available, it may become possible to achieve better overall coverage.

Whole Genome Sequencing and Multiplex qPCR Methods to Identify Encoding or Sialyltransferase.

causes more than 2 million cases of gastroenteritis annually in the United States, and is also linked to the autoimmune sequelae Guillan-Barre syndrome (GBS). GBS often results in flaccid paralysis, as the myelin sheaths of nerve cells are degraded by the adaptive immune response. Certain strains of modify their lipooligosaccharide (LOS) with the addition of neuraminic acid, resulting in LOS moieties that are structurally similar to gangliosides present on nerve cells.

Simultaneous Identification of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari with SmartCycler-Based Multiplex Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Background: Consumption of Campylobacter contaminated food or water is a leading cause of human acute gastroenteritis. Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari account for over 95% of total Campylobacter infections. A multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for simultaneous identification of C.

Genome sequencing and annotation of a Campylobacter coli strain isolated from milk with multidrug resistance.

As the most prevalent bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis, food-borne Campylobacter infections pose a serious threat to public health. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is a tool providing quick and inexpensive approaches for analysis of food-borne pathogen epidemics. Here we report the WGS and annotation of a Campylobacter coli strain, FNW20G12, which was isolated from milk in the United States in 1997 and carries multidrug resistance.