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.