A New Shiga Toxin 2 Variant (Stx2f) from Escherichia coli Isolated from Pigeons |
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| Authors: | Herbert Schmidt, Jü rgen Scheef, Stefano Morabito, Alfredo Caprioli, Lothar H. Wieler, Helge Karch |
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| Affiliation: | Herbert Schmidt, Jürgen Scheef, Stefano Morabito, Alfredo Caprioli, Lothar H. Wieler, and Helge Karch |
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| Abstract: | 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 stx2f. 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 stx2f gene in pigeon droppings was 12.5%. The occurrence of a new Stx2 variant in STEC from pigeons enlarges the pool of Stx2 variants and raises the question whether horizontal gene transfer to E. coli pathogenic to humans may occur. |
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