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Methods available for the sub-typing of Escherichia coli O157

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology volume 16, pages 741–748 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

The epidemiological investigation of Escherichia coli O157 is complicated by the lack of heterogeneity between strains responsible for the majority of cases of infection. As a consequence it is difficult to reliably cluster together an outbreak strain and differentiate it from other sporadically occurring isolates. The methods available for the sub-typing of E. coli O157 vary in their speed, technical complexity, cost and ability to discriminate reliably between strains, with many of the recently developed methods targeting the genome to provide differentiation. No single typing method is individually superior, and ideally a combination of techniques should be employed depending on the level of discrimination required and time or resources available. The aim of this review is to consider the relative merits of the available typing methodologies with particular emphasis on those which may find application in a diagnostic laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK

    Katie L. Hopkins

  2. Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK

    Anthony C. Hilton

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  1. Katie L. Hopkins
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Hopkins, K.L., Hilton, A.C. Methods available for the sub-typing of Escherichia coli O157. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 16, 741–748 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008941225987

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008941225987

  • AFLP
  • epidemiological typing
  • Escherichia coli O157
  • molecular epidemiology
  • PFGE
  • RAPD
  • sub-typing
  • typing methods
  • VTEC