Rapid and Specific Detection of the O15:K52:H1 Clonal Group of <i>Escherichia coli</i> by Gene-Specific PCR

Abstract

Primers specific for Escherichia coli O15:K52:H1 were devised based on a novel single-nucleotide polymorphism identified within the housekeeping gene fumC, i.e., G594A. In experiments comparing various reference typing methods, the new primers provided 100% sensitivity and specificity for the O15:K52:H1 clonal group, including 162 diverse clinical and reference E. coli isolates.