Characterization of Escherichia coli 086 O-antigen gene cluster and identification of O86-specific genes

Escherichia coli 086 belongs to the enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) group, some strains of which are pathogens of humans, wild birds and farm animals. The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli 086 was amplified by long-range PCR using primers based on the housekeeping genes galF and gnd, and then sequenced. Genes involved in GDP-Fuc and N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc) synthesis and genes encoding glycosyltransferases, O-unit flippase and O-antigen polymerase were identified on the basis of homology. By screening against 186 E. coli and Shigella-type strains, two genes specific to E. coli 086 were identified. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, based on the specific O-antigen genes identified here, could be used for the rapid detection of E. coli 086 in environmental and clinical samples. The relationship between E. coli 086 and 0127 was also determined by comparing the two O-antigen gene clusters. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.