Phenotypic and Molecular Studies on Ehec-Hlya Gene in Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia Colim.

In the present study, one hundred and six Shiga like toxin producing E. coli (STEC) strains were screened for the presence of EHEC-hlyA gene by PCR and 10 (9.43%) STEC isolates originated from diverse sources viz., milk, diarrhoeic cattle, non-diarrhoeic cattle, mutton, chicken and diarrhoeic animal handlers were found positive. All EHEC-hlyA gene positive isolates produced hemolysis on soyabean casein digest agar supplemented with 5 percent washed sheep erythrocytes after 16 hrs incubation and none of the isolate showed hemolysis earlier than 16 hours.