Ryapis, L.A., Filatov, N.N., Salova, N.Ya., Sizykh, E.V., Gerasimov, A.N., Svetoch, E.A., Stepanshin, Yu.G., Bannov, V.A., Yeruslanov, B.V., Borzenkov, V.N., Khramov, M.V., Gusev, V.V.

Characterization of Escherichia coli strains O157:H7, isolated on the territories of the Central Federal District

Sechenov Medical Academy, City Center of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Moscow; State Research Center of Applied Microbiology, Obolensk, Moscow region, Russia

The characterization of E.coli strains O157:H7, isolated from humans and animals on some territories of the Central Federal District, is presented. Among the isolates from human outbreaks, related and, probably, related cultures prevailed, while among the isolates obtained from different animals mainly unrelated cultures have been detected. A conclusion has been made concerning the existence of several independent zoonotic reservoirs of E.coli O157:H7 infection on this territory. The advantages and drawbacks of the use of pulse electrophoresis in the characterization of E.coli O157:H7 are discussed. Grounds are given for the necessity of the patients examination with hemorrhagic enetrocolitis for the presence of E. coli O157:H7, as well as for the expediency of having a special item for the registration of this E.coli infection in relevant statistical forms.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2005, No. 1, P. 7—11