Prevalence of Non-O157:H7 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Diarrheal Stool Samples from Nebraska

Authors

Paul Fey, University of Nebraska Medical Center
R. S. Wickert, University of Nebraska Medical Center
M.E. Rupp
T. J. Safranek, Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesFollow
S. H. Hinrichs, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

Date of this Version

10-2000

Comments

Published in Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 6, No. 5, September–October 2000.

Abstract

We determined the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in diarrheal stool samples from Nebraska by three methods: cefixime-tellurite sorbitol MacConkey (CT-SMAC) culture, enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) enzyme immunoassay, and stx_1,2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fourteen (4.2%) of 335 specimens were positive by at least one method (CT-SMAC culture [6 of 14], EHEC enzyme immunoassay [13 of 14], stx_1,2 PCR [14 of 14]). Six contained serogroup 0157, while non-0157 were as prevalent as 0157 serogroups.