Isolate independent molecular typing improves the yield of O typing of infections due to Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli

• Published in: Pathology 2020-06, Vol.52 (4), p.460-465
• Main Authors: McAuliffe, Gary N., Tse, Fifi, Qiao, Helen, Moore, Sharon, Bissessor, Liselle, Thompson, Bryn, McLaughlin, Virginia, Upton, Arlo, Taylor, Susan L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; culture independent diagnostic testing; enterohaemorrhagic E. coli; Escherichia coli Infections - diagnosis; Feces - microbiology; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Typing - methods; O Antigens - isolation & purification; O serotyping; Shiga toxin producing E. coli; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli - genetics; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli - isolation & purification; verocytotoxin producing E. coli; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0031-3025; 1465-3931
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2020.02.008

Molecular screening has increased detection of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC). However, it is difficult to isolate the organism for epidemiological typing. We applied a molecular method for direct detection of nine O types from 110 stx positive faeces samples and compared the results with conventional isolate based methods. Using conventional methods 55/110 (50%) samples were O typed. Using the molecular method, 72/110 (65%) were O typed, including 23/38 (61%) culture negative samples. Combining both techniques typed 88/110 (80%) of samples. Molecular typing increased detection of O128 (2–25%, p