Molecular Epidemiological Study of a Mass Outbreak Caused by Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H45

Sou-ichi Makino; Hiroshi Asakura; Toshikazu Shirahata; Tetsuya Ikeda; Koichi Takeshi; Keisuke Arai; Motohiro Nagasawa; Tamotsu Abe; Terukazu Sadamoto

Molecular Epidemiological Study of a Mass Outbreak Caused by Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H45

Sou-ichi Makino, Hiroshi Asakura, Toshikazu Shirahata, Tetsuya Ikeda, Koichi Takeshi, Keisuke Arai, Motohiro Nagasawa, Tamotsu Abe, Terukazu Sadamoto

Author information

Sou-ichi Makino
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Hiroshi Asakura
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Toshikazu Shirahata
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Tetsuya Ikeda
Hokkaido Institute of Public Health
Koichi Takeshi
Hokkaido Institute of Public Health
Keisuke Arai
Obihiro Public Health Center
Motohiro Nagasawa
Obihiro Public Health Center
Tamotsu Abe
Obihiro Public Health Center
Terukazu Sadamoto
Obihiro Public Health Center

Keywords: EPEC, HEp-2, Adherence, O157

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1999 Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages 381-384

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Abstract

We made a molecular analysis of O157:H45 Escherichia coli isolated from a mass outbreak that occurred in Obihiro City. Using DNA analysis, we confirmed this infection case as a mass outbreak. Although the isolates expressed O157 antigen, they did not produce Vero toxin. We concluded they were enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) because they had a bfp gene and an EAF plasmid, and further they exhibited local adherence to HEp-2 cells. We believe this is the first report of a mass outbreak by O157 EPEC, and we suggest that PCR using eae- and bfp-specific primers and HEp-2 adherence assay are useful to identify EPEC.

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