[Detection of pas gene in shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC)].

Results of detection of the pas gene in 10 shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli strains (STEC) isolated from foods (raw milk, certified milk, and beef) and in 18 enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli strains (EHEC) isolated from stool samples of patients suffering from HUS, diarrhea or from carriers without symptoms are given. All isolates showed the eae gene coding for intimin. We could make sure by using PCR that all isolates showed the pas gene, too. This gene is a factor mainly responsible for proteinsecretion and for the attacing and effacing phenomenon. A correlation of pas to other virulence factors was not given. The detection of the pas gene makes further characterization of STEC/EHEC-Isolates possible.