Investigation on Healthy Sheep as a Reservoir for Enteropathogenic (EPEC) and Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) Strains in Garmsar District by Multiplex-PCR

Genotype and pathotype characterization of Escherichia coli isolates through molecular methods at a specific geographical area is particularly useful in the evaluation of disease، epidemiology. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are among the most important E. coli pathotypes. In this study 80 fecal samples were collected from 11 healthy sheep flocks in winter and spring of 2011 in Garmsar district. Escherichia coli isolates were screened by multiplex-PCR for stx1، stx2، eae، and ehly virulence genes. Among fecal samples، 47 cases (58/75%) were diagnosed as STEC Carrier. Among 98 E. coli isolates، stx1/ehly (54/8%) was the predominant genotype. EPEC strains were not recognized in this study. Therefore، sheep might be a possible reservoir for STEC infection in Garmsar and can be transmitted to humans through consumption of lamb meat and other related products.