Multiplex PCR for diagnosis of enteric infections associated with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

A multiplex PCR for detection of three categories of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was developed. With this method, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, enteropathogenic E. coli, and enterotoxigenic E. coli were identified in fecal samples from patients with hemorrhagic collitis, watery diarrhea, or hemolytic-uremic syndrome and from food-borne outbreaks.