Simultaneous identification of strains of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 and their Shiga-like toxin type by mismatch amplification mutation assay-multiplex PCR

Mismatch amplification mutation assay primers, specific for a unique base substitution in uidA of Escherichia coli O157:H7, was coupled with primers for the Shiga-like toxin I (SLT-I) and SLT-II genes in a multiplex PCR assay. Analysis of 108 bacteria showed that all Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 strains were identified simultaneously with the SLT types encoded by these strains.