DNA fingerprinting of Shiga-toxin producing <it>Escherichia coli </it>O157 based on Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeats Analysis (MLVA)

• Main Authors: Vardund Traute (Author), Gjernes Elisabet (Author), Heir Even (Author), Lindstedt Bjørn-Arne (Author), Kapperud Georg (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2003-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ability to react early to possible outbreaks of <it>Escherichia coli </it>O157:H7 and to trace possible sources relies on the availability of highly discriminatory and reliable techniques. The development of methods that are fast and has the potential for complete automation is needed for this important pathogen.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In all 73 isolates of shiga-toxin producing <it>E. coli </it>O157 (STEC) were used in this study. The two available fully sequenced STEC genomes were scanned for tandem repeated stretches of DNA, which were evaluated as polymorphic markers for isolate identification.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 73 <it>E. coli </it>isolates displayed 47 distinct patterns and the MLVA assay was capable of high discrimination between the <it>E. coli </it>O157 strains. The assay was fast and all the steps can be automated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings demonstrate a novel high discriminatory molecular typing method for the important pathogen <it>E. coli </it>O157 that is fast, robust and offers many advantages compared to current methods.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1476-0711-2-12
1476-0711