Prevalence and molecular characterization of Escherichia coli isolates during radish sprout production in the Republic of Korea

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of coliforms and Escherichia coli across radish sprout production facilities in Republic Korea characterize isolated E. . A total 324 samples were collected from three different units spring summer. Overall, levels significantly higher (> 3.75 log CFU/g) sprouts during summer season than spring. detected pre-harvest (50%) post-harvest (39%) water (33%) farms B C. Of 48 isolates, five isolates positive for eaeA gene, indicative EPEC O110, two -positive (EPEC ONT) one isolate ipaH (ETEC O71). These strains identified as novel sequence types by multilocus sequence-typing assay based on combination allelic profiles. In addition, O110 obtained stream stored container farm C toxic Caenorhabditis elegans. It is necessary implement safety measures prevent outbreaks.