Multiplex PCR for detection of three plasmid-borne genes of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strains

We developed a novel multiplex PCR assay for enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) detection, by using three plasmid-borne genes (the aggregative adherence [AA] probe, aap, and aggR). One or more of the loci were detected in 24 (86%) of 28 patient isolates analyzed. The multiplex PCR assay is a fast, convenient, and sensitive molecular test to detect EAEC. The importance of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains in public health around the world is becoming increas-ingly clear. The pathogenicity of these strains has been proven in adult volunteers (12, 18) and in several studies from around the world (3, 4, 5, 9, 14). EAEC strains have been associated classically with persistent diarrhea (14 days), which repre-sents a disproportionate share of diarrheal mortality. EAEC strains have been shown to elicit damage to the intestinal mu