Application of multiplex PCR for detection of non-O157 verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in bloody stools: identification of serogroups O26 and O111.

Primers were designed to amplify sequences of verocytotoxin genes and eaeA genes of Escherichia coli O26:H11, O111:H8, and O157:H7 in a multiplex PCR assay. This assay successfully detected E. coli O26:H11 in bloody stool specimens in which other enteric pathogens were not detected by culture-based methods. Rapid assays to detect non-O157:H7 verocytotoxin-producing E. coli is important to improve methods for the etiologic diagnosis of hemorrhagic colitis.