Genetic analysis of Escherichia coli O111:B4, a strain of medical and biochemical interest.

Procedures have been worked out which allow, for the first time, the genetic analysis of Escherichia coli O111:K58:H2 (O111:B4). The approximate map position of mutant loci was determined by mating with 15 Hfr strains of E. coli K-12. In addition, P1 transduction procedures were used for establishing relative gene order and linkage for any region of the E. coli O111:B4 chromosome. To obtain these, it was necessary to select for a rare P1 lysogen since E. coli O111:B4 is resistant to phage P1. Finally, genetic homology between E. coli strains K-12 and O111:B4 is suggested since they can form stable haploid hybrids, and several loci have similar map positions in the two strains.     

Molecular serotyping of Escherichia coli O111:H8

Accurate Escherichia coli serotyping is critical for pathogen diagnosis and surveillance of non-O157 Shiga-toxigenic strains, however few laboratories have this capacity. The molecular serotyping protocol described in this paper targets the somatic and flagellar antigens of E. coli O111:H8 used in traditional serotyping, and can be performed routinely in the laboratory.