Evaluation of Polymerase Chain Reaction for Rapid Detection of E. coli Strains: A Preliminary Study

摘要

E. coli strains were detected in environmental samples using conventional methods and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The organism was isolated by conventional bacteriological isolation and identification. The identity of the nucleic acid sequence of the organism was confirmed using PCR based detection assay. In the PCR assay, a pair of primers derived from uidA gene of E. coli , encoding glucuronidase specific for E. coli was used. Conventional isolation and identification is the most accurate method for detection of an active (intact) organism in environmental samples. However, this method is tedious, laborious and time consuming. The PCR provides a reliable, rapid, sensitive and specific assay for monitoring E.coli strains. The results of this study indicated that PCR should be used as a routine diagnostic technique for rapid detection of E.coli in environmental samples.