Abstract

LLUQUE, Angela et al. Comparison of enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli (EPEC) diagnosis by serology and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Rev. gastroenterol. Perú [online]. 2010, vol.30, n.2, pp.121-125. ISSN 1022-5129.

INTRODUCTION. The identification of EPEC in clinical laboratories is based on the determinationoftheserotypesbyagglutinationwithOandHantiserum.Currentlytheproper diagnosis of EPEC should be done by the identification of the intimin gen (eaeA) by PCR. OBJECTIVES. To compare the diagnosis of EPEC by serotypin and by PCR. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We collected EPEC strains, identify by their O antigen, from 4 clinical laboratories in Lima from diarrheal samples in children less than 5 years of age. In those strains we have searched for virulence genes by a real time multiplex PCR for the diarrheagenic E. coli. RESULTS: We collected 113 strains; 82% from children less than 2 years of age. Only 15 strains (13.3%) had the intimin gene and therefore a confirmatory diagnosis of EPEC. In addition we found 3 enterotoxigenic (ETEC), 3 shiga toxin-producing (STEC), 1 enteroagreggative (EAEC) and 1 enteroinvasive (EIEC) strains. CONCLUSIONS. PCR should be use for the proper identification of EPEC. However, molecular methods are still not easily available in clinical laboratories worldwide.

Keywords : enteropathogenicE.coli; EPEC; diarrheagenicE.coli; diarrhea; serology; PCR.

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