Subtype analysis of stx1, stx2 and eae genes in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and typical and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) from lambs in India

Seventy-five Escherichia coli isolates with at least one targeted virulence gene were recovered from 338 lambs with (n = 230) and without (n = 108) diarrhoea. The isolates belonged to 36 different serogroups. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was isolated from 9.6% of lambs with and 24.1% of lambs without diarrhoea. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) was isolated from 6.1% of lambs with and 11.1% of lambs without diarrhoea. Of 26 EPEC isolates, seven were typical (positive for bfpA), and, of 34 stx1 positive isolates, 25 were subtyped as stx1c. Five of 29 stx2 positive isolates were subtyped as stx2d and two as stx2c. Seven of 45 eae positive isolates were subtyped as eae subtype zeta (eaeζ). This appears to be the first report of the isolation of typical EPEC from sheep in India.