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.
STEC, EHEC-hlyA, haemolysis, milk, meat
