Molecular detection of Stx1 and Stx2 genes in E.Coli O157:H7 isolated from Cow's and Buffalo's soft cheese samples inBabylon Province, using Multiplex PCR technique.

Colonies of E.Coli O157:H7 were isolated from 80 locally produced Cow's and Buffalo's soft cheese samples that were collected randomly at weekly intervals (5 samples/ week) from various retail markets in different locations of babylon province during two climatic periods(40 samples /species/season) where the first periad was extended from the begining of December 2015 to the end of February 2016 while the second period was extended from the begining of July to the end of September 2016.The identification of E.Coli O157:H7 isolates were confirmed based on their cultural, biochemical and seralogical characteristics using the commercial latex agglutination test kit and by duplex PCR technique. Data revealed that there was a significant (P≤ 0.05) seasonal variation in the prevalence of E.Coli O157:H7 where all Cow's and Buffalo's soft cheese samples had significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher prevalence of E.Coli O157:H7 in summer season (50% and 40% respectively) than in winter season (25% and 15% respectively).It was found that all of the 80 bovine soft cheese samples had significantly (p