Analysis of Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (O157: H7) Strains Isolated in the Fukuoka Area in 1994 by Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract

Nine verotoxin-producing Escherichia coil 0157: H7 strains were isolated from 9 pediatric patients with sporadic enteritis between July and September 1994 at four clinics in the Fukuoka area. The patients included two families with two cases each. These strains were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for Xba I-digested DNA fragments. The restriction patterns were identical between each two strains within the two family outbreaks, but different among the seven strains of the distinct seven sporadic cases. It is strongly suggested that the seven sporadic cases were infected through distinct sources, and that the two family cases were due to a common source of infection or person to person infection.