BACKGROUND Shiga-like toxin 2 (Stx2) is one of the most important virulence factors in enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains such as O157H7. Subtypes of Stx2 are diverse with respect to their sequence, toxicity, and distribution. The most diverse Stx2 subtype, Stx2f, is difficult to detect immunologically, but is becoming more frequently associated with human illness. METHODS ...

BACKGROUND Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) is a major virulence factor in gastrointestinal diseases caused by Escherichia coli. Although Stx2a (prototypical Stx2) is well-studied, all seven subtypes of Stx2 have been associated with disease in mammals. Several subtypes of Stx2, including Stx2f, are difficult to detect immunologically. METHODS AND FINDINGS Four novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against ...

stx2f STEC case and the source of the infection could not be determined. The parrot in the hotel in Turkey could have been the source if birds are a reservoir of stx2f STEC. Conversely, the uncooked beef and barbecue cannot be ruled out, because O8:H19 has been found in cattle, pigs, and sheep (7). This case shows that STEC subgroups known to cause relatively mild disease can occasionally cause...

Specificity analysis for stx or Stx subtypes in Escherichia coli showed that the PCR assays we tested did not detect stx(1d) and stx(2f), and some also missed stx(2b) and stx(2g). Most of the serological assays examined did not detect Stx2c, Stx2e, Stx2f, and Stx2g, and some strain-to-strain variation in reactivity was observed for Stx2b.

BACKGROUND Stx2e is a primary virulence factor in STEC strains that cause edema disease in neonatal piglets. Though Stx2a and Stx2e are similar, many antibody-based Stx detection kits are designed to detect Stx2a and do not recognize the Stx2e subtype. METHODS AND FINDINGS Four monoclonal antibodies against Stx2e were developed and characterized. Two of these mAbs recognize the B subunit of S...

We have isolated Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains from the feces of feral pigeons which contained a new Stx2 variant gene designated stx(2f). This gene is most similar to sltIIva of patient E. coli O128:B12 isolate H.I.8. Stx2f reacted only weakly with commercial immunoassays. The prevalence of STEC organisms carrying the stx(2f) gene in pigeon droppings was 12.5%. Th...