Presence of adhesin related genes in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strains causing diarrhea

PCR screening for AAF I-IV (.pdf): Multiplex PCR was used to detect the genes encoding the major pilin subunits of AAF/I to IV (aggA, aafA, agg3A and agg4A, respectively), and agg3/4C, corresponding to the usher of AAF/III, IV and V in 110 aatA+ EAEC strains. PCR screening for AAF V (.pdf): Simplex PCR was used to detect the presence of agg5A, encoding the AAF/V major pilin subunit in 110 aatA+ EAEC strains. PCR screening for AFP (.pdf): Simplex PCR was used to detect the presence of afpA1 and afpR, which are part of the AFP-encoding operon in 110 aatA+ EAEC strains. PCR screening for aggR (.pdf): Simplex PCR was used to detect the presence of aggR, encoding the master EAEC virulence regulator in 110 aatA+ EAEC strains. PCR screening for cseA (.pdf): Simplex PCR was used to detect the presence of cseA, encoding the ETEC colonization factor CS22 in 110 aatA+ EAEC strains. List of aatA+ EAEC strains and compiled data (.pdf): All the 110 aatA+ strains were submitted to adherence assays to determine their adherence pattern on HEp-2 cells. They were also submitted to polymerase chain reactions (PCR) analysis to detect the following virulence genes: aggA, aafA, agg3A and agg4A (genes respectively encoding the major pilin subunits of AAF/I to IV); agg3/4C (usher of AAF/III, IV and V); agg5A (encoding the AAF/V major pilin subunit); aggR (encoding the master EAEC virulence regulator); afpA1 and afpR (part of the AFP-encoding operon); and cseA (encoding the ETEC colonization factor CS22).