Characterization of Escherichia coli O3 and O21 O antigen gene clusters and development of serogroup-specific PCR assays

Escherichia coli O3 and O21 are associated with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). EAEC strains are often non-typable using the routine agglutination method due to their aggregative phenotype. Typing of E. coli O3 and O21 may also be impeded by cross-reactions with O152 or O83. In this study, the O antigen gene clusters of E. coli O3 and O21 were characterized, and PCR assays based on O antigen specific genes wzx (encoding O unit flippase) and wzy (encoding O unit polymerase) from each strain were developed. By screening against all 186 known E. coli O serotypes, the PCR assays were shown to be highly specific to O3 and O21 respectively. The sensitivity of the assays was determined to be 1 pg per μl of chromosomal DNA and 2 CFU per 10 g of water samples. The PCR assays were also applied to 658 clinical E. coli isolates, and 100% of detection accuracy was obtained. The PCR assays developed here are suitable for the detection and identification of E. coli O3 and O21 strains in environmental and clinical samples.