Real-time multiplex PCR assay and melting curve analysis for identifying diarrheagenic Escherichia coli.

A real-time multiplex PCR assay was designed to amplify the virulence genes eae, pEAF, aatA, daaC, elt, est, ipaH, stx(1), and stx(2) for the detection of all diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes. This assay proved to be more sensitive and rapid than a conventional multiplex PCR for diarrheagenic E. coli isolates from children with diarrhea.

Age-specific prevalence of diffusely adherent Escherichia coli in Brazilian children with acute diarrhoea.

In a prospective study between February 2003 and June 2004, stool specimens of children less than 2 years of age with diarrhoea (n=218) and without diarrhoea (n=86), living in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, were examined for the presence of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli. E. coli isolates were tested by colony blot hybridization with specific DNA probes designed to detect EPEC, ETEC, EIEC, EAEC, DAEC and EHEC/STEC.