Multiplex PCR for Detection of Three Plasmid-Borne Genes of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli Strains

Abstract
We developed a novel multiplex PCR assay for enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) detection, by using three plasmid-borne genes (the aggregative adherence [AA] probe, aap , and aggR ). One or more of the loci were detected in 24 (86%) of 28 patient isolates analyzed. The multiplex PCR assay is a fast, convenient, and sensitive molecular test to detect EAEC.