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. 2002 Nov 13;36(1):149–159. doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(93)90136-U

Characteristics of vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli associated with intestinal colonization and diarrhea in calves

C Richard Dorn a,∗, David H Francis b, Elisabeth J Angrick a, JoAnn A Willgohs b, Richard A Wilson c, James E Collins d, Bruce H Jenke b, Stacey J Shawd b
PMCID: PMC7117345  PMID: 8236776

Abstract

Isolates of Escherichia coli which produce Vero cytotoxin (VTEC) were obtained during 1983–1989 from calves raised in 5 north-central states of the USA. All of the calves experienced intestinal epithelial colonization by VTEC, diarrhea or both; twelve of the calves had bloody diarrhea. Twenty one isolates were serogroup O111 and the others were O103, O69, O45, O26, O5, or non-typable (4 isolates). All but one of the isolates hybridized with the CVD419 probe which identifies most VTEC strains. Thirty two isolates hybridized with the VT1 probe, 3 with both the VT1 and VT2 probes, and one with neither probe. The culture filtrate of the VT probe negative isolate was partially neutralized by SLT I monoclonal antibody. For the other isolates, the results of toxin neutralization by anti-SLT I and anti-SLT II monoclonal antibodies corresponded exactly with the VT1 and VT2 probe hybridization results. Three of the strains adhered in a localized manner to HEp-2 cells and Intestine 407 cells.

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