Simplex and multiplex real-time PCR assays for the detection of flagellar (H-antigen) fliC alleles and intimin (eae) variants associated with enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotypes O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:H8, O145:H28 and O157:H7

• Published in: Journal of applied microbiology 2010-11, Vol.109 (5), p.1696-1705
• Main Authors: Madic, J, Peytavin de Garam, C, Vingadassalon, N, Oswald, E, Fach, P, Jamet, E, Auvray, F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesins, Bacterial - genetics; Alleles; Cheese - microbiology; detection; eae; EHEC; Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli - genetics; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Proteins - genetics; Flagellin; fliC; Food Microbiology - methods; food safety; Life Sciences; Molecular Typing - methods; Polymerase Chain Reaction; rapid methods; real-time PCR; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 1364-5072; 1365-2672
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04798.x

To develop real-time PCR assays targeting genes encoding the flagellar antigens (fliC) and intimin subtypes (eae) associated with the five most clinically important serotypes of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), i.e. O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:H8, O145:H28 and O157:H7. Primers and probes specific to fliCH₂, fliCH₇, fliCH₈, fliCH₁₁, fliCH₂₈, eae-β1, eae-γ1, eae-ε and eae-θ were combined in simplex and multiplex 5′-nuclease PCR assays. The specificity of the assays was assessed on 201 bacterial strains and the sensitivity determined on serially diluted EHEC genomes. The developed PCR assays were found to be highly specific and detected as few as five EHEC genome equivalents per reaction. Furthermore, it was possible to detect the five major EHEC serotypes in cheese samples inoculated at concentration levels of [less-than or equal to]5 CFU per 25 g after overnight enrichment using the PCR assays. The PCR assays developed here were found to be sensitive and specific for the reliable detection of genes encoding the flagellar antigens and intimin variants belonging to the five most clinically relevant EHEC serotypes. Application of real-time PCR assays should improve the identification of foods contaminated by EHEC and facilitate the molecular typing of these organisms.