scholarly journals Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection and Differentiation of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from Clinical Samples

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 2148-2153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Qin ◽  
Eileen J. Klein ◽  
Emmanouil Galanakis ◽  
Anita A. Thomas ◽  
Jennifer R. Stapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Successful Recovery

Timely accurate diagnosis of Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) infections is important. We evaluated a laboratory-developed real-time PCR (LD-PCR) assay targetingstx1,stx2, andrfbEO157with 2,386 qualifying stool samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care pediatric center between July 2011 and December 2013. Broth cultures of PCR-positive samples were tested for Shiga toxins by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (ImmunoCard STAT! enterohemorrhagicE. coli[EHEC]; Meridian Bioscience) and cultured in attempts to recover both O157 and non-O157 STEC.E. coliO157 and non-O157 STEC were detected in 35 and 18 cases, respectively. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) occurred in 12 patients (10 infected with STEC O157, one infected with STEC O125ac, and one with PCR evidence of STEC but no resulting isolate). Among the 59 PCR-positive STEC specimens from 53 patients, only 29 (54.7%) of the associated specimens were toxin positive by EIA. LD-PCR differentiated STEC O157 from non-O157 usingrfbEO157, and LD-PCR results prompted successful recovery ofE. coliO157 (n= 25) and non-O157 STEC (n= 8) isolates, although the primary cultures and toxin assays were frequently negative. A rapid “mega”-multiplex PCR (FilmArray gastrointestinal panel; BioFire Diagnostics) was used retrospectively, and results correlated with LD-PCR findings in 25 (89%) of the 28 sorbitol-MacConkey agar culture-negative STEC cases. These findings demonstrate that PCR is more sensitive than EIA and/or culture and distinguishes between O157 and non-O157 STEC in clinical samples and thatE. coliO157:H7 remains the predominant cause of HUS in our institution. PCR is highly recommended for rapid diagnosis of pediatric STEC infections.

Assessment of Microbiological Safety and Quality of Marinades Used To Treat Beef and That Were Collected over a 12-Month Period from Specialty Retailers Near Raleigh, North Carolina

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 490-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangjin Jung ◽  
Christopher L. Rupert ◽  
Benjamin Chapman ◽  
Anna C. S. Porto Fett ◽  
John B. Luchansky
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count

ABSTRACT In total, 115 marinade samples (58 fresh marinades and 57 spent marinades) were collected over 12 months from specialty retailers (four individual stores) near Raleigh, NC. These marinades were screened for total mesophilic aerobic plate count (M-APC), total psychrotrophic aerobic plate count (P-APC), and Enterobacteriaceae. These marinades were also screened for the seven regulated serogroups of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli. Stores A and B used immersion to marinade raw beef cuts, whereas stores C-1 and C-2 used vacuum tumbling. In general, marinade temperatures at the stores ranged from 1.8 to 6.6°C, and beef cuts were marinated from a few minutes to up to 3 days. Regardless of the process used to marinade meat, levels of M-APC and P-APC in fresh marinades ranged from 3.4 to 4.7 and 1.4 to 1.8 log CFU/mL, respectively, whereas Enterobacteriaceae were not detected in any fresh marinades, even after enrichment. However, levels of M-APC, P-APC, and Enterobacteriaceae in spent marinades collected from stores C-1 and C-2 (ca. 3.6 to 7.1 log CFU/mL) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with levels of these same types of bacteria enumerated from spent marinades collected at stores A and B (ca. ≤0.7 to 4.9 log CFU/mL). None of the 115 marinade samples tested positive for Shiga toxin–producing E. coli by using a BAX system real-time PCR assay. No significant (P > 0.05) association was observed between microbial levels (i.e., M-APC, P-APC, and Enterobacteriaceae) and the temperature or duration of the marination process. Levels of M-APC, P-APC, and Enterobacteriaceae in spent marinades were significantly affected by the marination method (P < 0.05), with levels, in general, being higher in marinades used for tumbling. Thus, retailers must continue to keep marinade solutions and meat at a safe temperature (i.e., ≤4°C) and to properly and frequently sanitize the equipment and environment in both the processing area and deli case.

scholarly journals Intimin Gene (eae) Subtype-Based Real-Time PCR Strategy for Specific Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Serotypes O157:H7, O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:H8, and O145:H28 in Cattle Feces

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1177-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Bibbal ◽  
Estelle Loukiadis ◽  
Monique Kérourédan ◽  
Carine Peytavin de Garam ◽  
Franck Ferré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Specific Detection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cattle Feces ◽  
Pcr Assays

ABSTRACTShiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) strains belonging to serotypes O157:H7, O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:H8, and O145:H28 are known to be associated with particular subtypes of the intimin gene (eae), namely, γ1, β1, ε, θ, and γ1, respectively. This study aimed at evaluating the usefulness of their detection for the specific detection of these five main pathogenic STEC serotypes in cattle feces. Using real-time PCR assays, 58.7% of 150 fecal samples were found positive for at least one of the four targetedeaesubtypes. The simultaneous presence ofstx,eae, and one of the five O group markers was found in 58.0% of the samples, and the five targetedstxpluseaeplus O genetic combinations were detected 143 times. However, taking into consideration the association betweeneaesubtypes and O group markers, the resultingstxpluseaesubtype plus O combinations were detected only 46 times. The 46 isolation assays performed allowed recovery of 22E. colistrains belonging to one of the five targeted STEC serogroups. In contrast, only 2 of 39 isolation assays performed on samples that were positive forstx,eaeand an O group marker, but that were negative for the correspondingeaesubtype, were successful. Characterization of the 24E. coliisolates showed that 6 were STEC, including 1 O157:H7, 3 O26:H11, and 2 O145:H28. The remaining 18 strains corresponded to atypical enteropathogenicE. coli(aEPEC). Finally, the more discriminatingeaesubtype-based PCR strategy described here may be helpful for the specific screening of the five major STEC in cattle feces.

scholarly journals Real-Time PCR Methodology for Selective Detection of Viable Escherichia coli O157:H7 Cells by Targeting Z3276 as a Genetic Marker

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (15) ◽  
pp. 5297-5304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baoguang Li ◽  
Jin-Qiang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Genetic Marker ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Selective Detection ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Viable Cells

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study was to develop a sensitive, specific, and accurate method for the selective detection of viableEscherichia coliO157:H7 cells in foods. A unique open reading frame (ORF), Z3276, was identified as a specific genetic marker for the detection ofE. coliO157:H7. We developed a real-time PCR assay with primers and probe targeting ORF Z3276 and confirmed that this assay was sensitive and specific forE. coliO157:H7 strains (n= 298). Using this assay, we can detect amounts of genomic DNA ofE. coliO157:H7 as low as a few CFU equivalents. Moreover, we have developed a new propidium monoazide (PMA)–real-time PCR protocol that allows for the clear differentiation of viable from dead cells. In addition, the protocol was adapted to a 96-well plate format for easy and consistent handling of a large number of samples. Amplification of DNA from PMA-treated dead cells was almost completely inhibited, in contrast to the virtually unaffected amplification of DNA from PMA-treated viable cells. With beef spiked simultaneously with 8 × 107dead cells/g and 80 CFU viable cells/g, we were able to selectively detect viableE. coliO157:H7 cells with an 8-h enrichment. In conclusion, this PMA–real-time PCR assay offers a sensitive and specific means to selectively detect viableE. coliO157:H7 cells in spiked beef. It also has the potential for high-throughput selective detection of viableE. coliO157:H7 cells in other food matrices and, thus, will have an impact on the accurate microbiological and epidemiological monitoring of food safety and environmental sources.

Promising Nucleic Acid Lateral Flow Assay Plus PCR for Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1560-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
YOSHITAKA TERAO ◽  
KANA TAKESHITA ◽  
YASUTAKA NISHIYAMA ◽  
NAOKI MORISHITA ◽  
TAKASHI MATSUMOTO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Detection Limit ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Lower Detection Limit ◽  
Lower Detection

Shiga toxin (Stx)–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a frequent cause of foodborne infections, and methods for rapid and reliable detection of STEC are needed. A nucleic acid lateral flow assay (NALFA) plus PCR was evaluated for detecting STEC after enrichment. When cell suspensions of 45 STEC strains, 14 non-STEC strains, and 13 non–E. coli strains were tested with the NALFA plus PCR, all of the STEC strains yielded positive results, and all of the non-STEC and non–E. coli strains yielded negative results. The lower detection limit for the STEC strains ranged from 0.1 to 1 pg of genomic DNA (about 20 to 200 CFU) per test, and the NALFA plus PCR was able to detect Stx1- and Stx2-producing E. coli strains with similar sensitivities. The ability of the NALFA plus PCR to detect STEC in enrichment cultures of radish sprouts, tomato, raw ground beef, and beef liver inoculated with 10-fold serially diluted STEC cultures was comparable to that of a real-time PCR assay (at a level of 100 to 100,000 CFU/ml in enrichment culture). The bacterial inoculation test in raw ground beef revealed that the lower detection limit of the NALFA plus PCR was also comparable to that obtained with a real-time PCR assay that followed the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines. Although further evaluation is required, these results suggest that the NALFA plus PCR is a specific and sensitive method for detecting STEC in a food manufacturing plant.

Comparison of a New Enrichment Procedure for Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli with Five Standard Methods

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 1593-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL A. GRANT
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Macconkey Agar ◽  
Standard Methods ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
Health Products

A new procedure for enrichment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin–producing E. coli was compared to five standard methods: the British Public Health Laboratory Service, International Standard Method, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Canadian Health Products and Food Branch, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The new procedure was comparable to the standard methods in its ability to detect target cells inoculated into foods at approximately 1 CFU g−1. Comparisons were also made of the ability of the six enrichment procedures to detect E. coli O157:H7 against a large background of competitor microorganisms. In these experiments the new procedure yielded more target cells than the other five enrichments by two to three orders of magnitude as determined by enumeration on sorbitol MacConkey agar with tellurite and cefixime and Rainbow agar with tellurite and novobiocin and by verification of presumptive colonies by real-time PCR. For example, the population of enterohemorrhagic E. coli strain 6341 recovered on sorbitol MacConkey agar with tellurite and cefixime after enrichment with the experimental method was 2.42 × 108 CFU ml−1 and 1.80 × 106 CFU ml−1 after enrichment with the Canadian Health Products and Food Branch method, the second most effective in this experiment. In addition, broth cultures resulting from each of the six enrichment procedures were used to prepare templates for real-time PCR detection of stx1/stx2. Resulting threshold cycle (Ct) values after the experimental enrichment were similar to positive control values, whereas the five standard methods produced delayed Ct values or were not detected.

scholarly journals A Real-Time PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Four Common Entamoeba Species That Infect Humans

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. e01986-20
Author(s):  
Ibne Karim M. Ali ◽  
Shantanu Roy
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rdna Sequences ◽  
Appropriate Treatment

ABSTRACTThere are over 40 species within the genus Entamoeba, eight of which infect humans. Of these, four species (Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar, E. moshkovskii, and E. bangladeshi) are morphologically indistinguishable from each other, and yet differentiation is important for appropriate treatment decisions. Here, we developed a hydrolysis probe-based tetraplex real-time PCR assay that can simultaneously detect and differentiate these four species in clinical samples. In this assay, multicopy small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences were used as targets. We determined that the tetraplex real-time PCR can detect amebic DNA corresponding to as little as a 0.1 trophozoite equivalent of any of these species. We also determined that this assay can detect E. histolytica DNA in the presence of 10-fold more DNA from another Entamoeba species in mixed-infection scenarios. With a panel of more than 100 well-characterized clinical samples diagnosed and confirmed using a previously published duplex real-time PCR (capable of detecting E. histolytica and E. dispar), our tetraplex real-time PCR assay demonstrated levels of sensitivity and specificity comparable with those demonstrated by the duplex real-time PCR assay. The advantage of our assay over the duplex assay is that it can specifically detect two additional Entamoeba species and can be used in conventional PCR format. This newly developed assay will allow further characterization of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of the four morphologically identical Entamoeba species, especially in low-resource settings.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Enzyme Immunoassays and Real-Time PCR for Detecting Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Southern Alberta, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 1019-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Chui ◽  
Laura Patterson-Fortin ◽  
Julie Kuo ◽  
Vincent Li ◽  
Valerie Boras
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enzyme Immunoassays ◽  
Southern Alberta

Two immunoassays (Shiga Toxin Chek and Shiga Toxin Quik Chek) and real-time PCR were used to detect Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli. For enriched culture, the sensitivity and specificity of the three methods ranged from 80.0% to 98.2% and 98.0% to 100.0%, respectively. STEC isolates were identified in 2.6% of the 784 samples.

Isolation and detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in clinical stool samples using conventional and molecular methods

2009 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 905-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Gilmour ◽  
Linda Chui ◽  
Theodore Chiu ◽  
Dobryan M. Tracz ◽  
Kathryn Hagedorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Suspension Array ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Targeting

The isolation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) other than serogroup O157 from clinical stool samples is problematic due to the lack of differential phenotypic characteristics from non-pathogenic E. coli. The development of molecular reagents capable of identifying both toxin and serogroup-specific genetic determinants holds promise for a more comprehensive characterization of stool samples and isolation of STEC strains. In this study, 876 stool samples from paediatric patients with gastroenteritis were screened for STEC using a cytotoxicity assay, commercial immunoassay and a conventional PCR targeting Shiga-toxin determinants. In addition, routine culture methods for isolating O157 STEC were also performed. The screening assays identified 45 stools presumptively containing STEC, and using non-differential culture techniques a total of 20 O157 and 22 non-O157 strains were isolated. These included STEC serotypes O157 : H7, O26 : H11, O121 : H19, O26 : NM, O103 : H2, O111 : NM, O115 : H18, O121 : NM, O145 : NM, O177 : NM and O5 : NM. Notably, multiple STEC serotypes were isolated from two clinical stool samples (yielding O157 : H7 and O26 : H11, or O157 : H7 and O103 : H2 isolates). These data were compared to molecular serogroup profiles determined directly from the stool enrichment cultures using a LUX real-time PCR assay targeting the O157 fimbrial gene lpfA, a microsphere suspension array targeting allelic variants of espZ and a gnd-based molecular O-antigen serogrouping method. The genetic profile of individual stool cultures indicated that the espZ microsphere array and lpfA real-time PCR assay could accurately predict the presence and provide preliminary typing for the STEC strains present in clinical samples. The gnd-based molecular serogrouping method provided additional corroborative evidence of serogroup identities. This toolbox of molecular methods provided robust detection capabilities for STEC in clinical stool samples, including co-infection of multiple serogroups.

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