McNemar's test and Pearson Chi-square analyzed virulent E. coli genes in river water, revealing significant gene presence percentages across two South African rivers.
Conventional and real-time multiplex PCR assays confirmed the presence of various E. coli genes, with inconsistencies noted between the two methods for some genes.
The study emphasizes the need for early detection and further analysis to assess health risks associated with virulent E. coli in water sources.