Occurrence of selected genes of the Klebsiella pneumoniae clusters waa and wb for lipolysaccharide synthesis in reference and epidemic strains

The goal of presented study was to determine by PCR differences in existence or homology level of selected genes involved in K. pneumoniae lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis and application of obtained results for genotyping. Number of 26 reference strains of K. pneumoniae belonging to serogroups O1, O2a, O2a2e, O2a2e2h, O2a2f2g, O3, O4, O5, O7, O8, and O12 was tested together with 13 epidemic strains from 5 outbreaks and 6 casual isolates for the existence of 7 (waaA, waaE, waaL, waaQ, waaZ, waaX and uge) and 4 (wbdA, wbdC, manB, wbbO) genes of the waa and wb clusters for LPS biosynthesis. Based on PCR results, 10 and 11 genotypes were distinguished in tested strains for genes from waa and wb clusters respectively. Derived dendrograms were topologically dissimilar, however observed correlation between clonal groups and O-group was marginal for both compared clusters. Since we aimed to develop genotyping method for K. pneumoniae, genes from clusters waa and wb were used together to enhance the distinguishing capacity. Twenty-one genotypes were distinguished in 45 tested strains (DI=0,46) when 11 genes were applied for typing. Although no apparent correlation between genotype and serogroup was observed, epidemic isolates from 5 outbreaks were diversified into 5 genotypes, whereas strains from the same outbreak were indistinguishable. Described here genotyping method is determinative and was found time and cost effective. This method may be applied in every clinical laboratory equipped in an ordinary PCR apparatus.     

Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) of selected loci of the cps region for capsule synthesis in epidemic and casually isolated strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Poland

The SSCP of ORFs 1, 2, 3, 15 from the cps region for capsule biosynthesis was determined for 56 epidemic isolates, 4 reference strains of K. pneumoniae including A5054 and B5055, and 12 strains isolated casually from stool samples. From 6 up to 14 different SSCP-profiles were observed for tested loci, which combined together distinguished 31 SSCP-genotypes. Epidemic strains could be diversified into 15 genotypes whereas 11 genotypes were detected for 12 casual isolates. Strains from the same outbreak belonged to a single genotype. Strains from different outbreaks represented separate genotypes, however majority of them was located in the same main branch of a dendrogram based on the cluster analysis of the SSCP-profiles diversity. Obtained results may suggest high genetic diversity of tested loci. The SSCP genotyping of multiple cps loci was found as potentially useful tool for tracing epidemic strains during an outbreak.     

Occurrence of selected loci of the cps region for capsule K1 or K2 synthesis in epidemic strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from infants in Poland

Number of 60 epidemic strains of K. pneumoniae and 15 isolated occasionally from stool samples were tested for presence of 4 and 11 selected loci of the cps cluster of K1 and K2. Following open reading frames (ORFs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15 (gnd) of cps K2 strain Chedid and genes magA, gmd, wzc, wca of cps K1 strain DTS were searched by PCR in tested and reference strains O1:K1 A5054 and O1:K2 B5055. The ORFs 1 to 3 and ORF15 were detected in both the reference and epidemic strains as well as in the greatest majority of the occasional isolates. Thus, such ORFs were found K. pneumoniae cps common domains, while tested ORFs 4 to 14 were observed in strain B5055 and 11 epidemic isolates from patients of the same hospital ward. Only exception was a single strain O3 occasionally isolated from faeces. The tested genes of cps K1 were detected only in strain A5054 and in two O3 occasional isolates from faeces. Interestingly, these genes as well ORFs 4 to 14 were detected together in the appropriate reference and tested strains with only two exceptions. Therefore, the cps sector occupied by ORFs 4 to 14 was found as group-specific domain. The occurrence ratio of cps K2 group-specific loci among epidemic strains from infants was 18%, while the K1 group-specific loci were absent.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio cholerae</Emphasis> from cholera outbreaks in Chennai

The genotype and antibiotic resistance pattern of the toxigenic Vibrio cholerae strains associated with cholera outbreaks vary frequently. Fifty-one V. cholerae strains isolated from cholera outbreaks in Chennai (2002–2005) were screened for the presence of virulence and regulatory genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Genotyping of the isolates was done by VC1 primers derived from enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-related sequence in V. cholerae. All the isolates possessed toxigenic genes, such as ctxA, ctxB, tcpA, ace, ompU, toxR and zot. Two different El Tor genotypes and one O139 genotype could be delineated by VC1-PCR. One of the El Tor genotypes was similar to the El Tor strains isolated from Bhind district and Delhi during 2004. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed greater variability among the isolates tested. All the isolates were found to be susceptible to norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. Thiry-three per cent of the isolates were found to be resistant to more than 4 antibiotics and could be termed as multiple antibiotic resistant. Coexistence of O139 serogroup along with the El Tor biotype could be identified among the strains recovered during the period 2002–2004. The O139 isolates were found to be more susceptible to the antibiotics tested when compared to the El Tor isolates.     

临床分离肺炎克雷伯菌耐药性监测

目的了解临床分离肺炎克雷伯菌的耐药性,为临床合理应用抗菌药物提供实验室依据。方法采用微量稀释法对392例临床分离肺炎克雷伯菌进行药物敏感性测定;超广谱β-内酰胺酶(Extendedspectrumbeta-lactamases,ESBLs)检测用微量稀释法初筛,纸片法做确证试验。结果肺炎克雷伯菌对18种抗菌药物的药敏结果中,耐药率大于30%的抗菌药物多达11种;其中氨苄西林-舒巴坦、氨苄西林、头孢噻吩、哌拉西林、复方新诺明和头孢唑啉的耐药率高达20%以上。耐药率低于10%的抗菌药物仅有4种,分别为头孢曲松(7.7%)、头孢噻肟(7.4%)、氨曲南(6.9%)和亚胺培南(3.1%)。其它抗菌药物的耐药率都高于10%。产ESBLs菌株的发生率为32.9%～45.8%,平均为39.8%;产ESBLs菌株对多种抗菌药物的耐药率显著高于非产ESBLs菌株(P<0.05)。结论临床分离肺炎克雷伯菌对多种抗菌药物的耐药率较高,尤其是产ESBLs菌株的高耐药率及多重耐药性更为明显。临床应加强对肺炎克雷伯菌耐药性的监测并预防耐药菌株的传播流行。     

长沙某医院产质粒AmpC酶型肺炎克雷伯菌的多重PCR检测与分析

为了了解湖南长沙某医院临床分离的肺炎克雷伯菌中质粒介导AmpC β-内酰胺酶的产生情况及其基因型,收集了该医院2008年3月至2010年10月临床分离的多重耐药肺炎克雷伯菌104株,用头孢西丁纸片扩散法对这些菌株进行表型初筛,用多重PCR确定ampC耐药基因型;结果发现其中有19株对头孢西丁纸片不敏感,疑为产AmpC酶菌株;再经多重PCR扩增,有12株菌分别在约400 bp（11株）和约350 bp（1株）出现了阳性条带,特异性PCR证明此12株菌分别携带了DHA型（11株）和ACC型（1株）ampC耐药基因;产质粒介导AmpC酶肺炎克雷伯菌的分离率为11.5%（12/104）。该医院产质粒介导AmpC酶肺炎克雷伯菌的分离率较高,应对其检测与监测给予足够重视,以指导临床合理选用抗菌药物。     

血流感染产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌毒力基因及 分子分型研究

目的研究血流感染产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌的毒力基因和基因分型特点。方法采用PCR检测菌株中高毒力因子、荚膜血清型以及ST分型;采用微量肉汤稀释法对菌株进行药敏试验;采用加克拉维酸的复合药(头孢他啶/克拉维酸或头孢噻肟/克拉维酸)与单药(头孢噻肟或头孢他啶)的药敏纸片组合进行肺炎克雷伯菌产ESBLs的表型确证试验。结果 128株血流感染肺炎克雷伯菌中,有23株产ESBLs(产ESBLs组),占17.97%(23/128);105株不产ESBLs(非产ESBLs组),占82.03%(105/125)。本地区血流感染肺炎克雷伯菌主要流行ST型别为ST23、ST65、ST37和ST29,其中ST23、ST29、ST65为非产ESBLs的优势ST型别菌株,而在产ESBLs菌株中无优势型别。两组菌在高黏液表型、荚膜血清型和毒力基因分布上差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。产EBSLs组中发现8株高毒力产EBSLs肺炎克雷伯菌。结论临床诊疗中需在肺炎克雷伯菌耐药株中识别出高毒力肺炎克雷伯菌并给与及时的治疗,避免其并发症的发生。     

头孢西丁耐药肺炎克雷伯菌AmpC基因和ESBLs检测及耐药性分析

目的了解深圳地区头孢西丁耐药肺炎克雷伯菌头孢菌素酶(AmpC酶)基因型分布、产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs)的情况及其耐药特点。方法收集深圳地区三家大型综合医院临床标本分离对头孢西丁耐药的肺炎克雷伯菌73株。用碱裂解法提取菌株的质粒,采用多重PCR扩增AmpC基因,应用DNA测序确定其基因型。并对所有菌株进行ESBLs表型确证试验;用K-B法对其进行药物敏感试验。结果 48株(65.8%)AmpC基因扩增阳性,经DNA测序显示,其中46株为DHA-1型,1株为CMY-2型,1株同时产DHA-1和CMY-2型;73株肺炎克雷伯菌中49株ESBLs阳性,其中36株AmpC基因和ESBLs均为阳性。AmpC和(或)ESBLs阳性菌株对多数药物的耐药率高于AmpC和ESBLs均阴性者。结论本地区头孢西丁耐药肺炎克雷伯菌质粒AmpC酶检出率高,基因型主要为DHA-1,同时产AmpC酶和ESBLs菌株较常见。     

中国五省市甲型肝炎病毒基因分型的研究

为了解甲型肝炎（甲肝）病毒（ＨＡＶ）在中国几个城市的基因型分布,选择浙江杭州、江苏启东、安徽铜陵、云南昆明和上海市等的甲肝病人粪便标本或血清标本,以逆转录－套式聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ｎＰＣＲ）扩增合成ＨＡＶ ＶＰ１／２Ａ交接区基因区,并进行直接核苷酸序列分析和差异比较。结果表明,从这些城市甲肝病人分离到的１７株ＨＡＶ株均属基因Ⅰ型,为ＩＡ和ＩＢ亚型;所有ＨＡＶ株间核苷酸差异均小于１５％,但约５０％Ｈ     

痰液中产ESBL肺炎克雷伯菌Ⅰ、Ⅱ类整合子检测及基因分型研究

目的研究临床痰液分离的产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌Ⅰ、Ⅱ类整合子分布情况,并进行基因分型。方法分离临床痰液中100株产ESBLs的肺炎克雷伯菌,用WHONET 5.4分析菌株药敏情况,PCR检测整合酶Ⅰ、整合酶Ⅱ,ERIC-PCR进行基因分型。结果 100株菌对碳青霉烯类敏感率100%,对β-内酰胺类、氨基糖苷类、氟喹诺酮类多数耐药。整合酶Ⅰ检出率为60%,未检出整合酶Ⅱ。100株菌分为72个基因型。结论Ⅰ类整合子广泛存在于产ESBLS肺炎克雷伯菌中,与肺炎克雷伯菌的耐药相关,ERIC-PCR可用于临床分离肺炎克雷伯的基因分型。     

Molecular typing of epidemic and nonepidemic Vibrio cholerae isolates and differentiation of V. cholerae and V. mimicus isolates by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis

AIMS: To examine the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to differentiate epidemic and nonepidemic Vibrio cholerae isolates as well as to differentiate V. cholerae and Vibrio mimicus isolates. METHODS AND RESULTS: By both PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and PCR-SSCP analysis of groEL-I on chromosome 1 and groEL-II on chromosome 2, V. cholerae isolates gave distinct profiles compared with V. mimicus isolates. In addition, PCR-SSCP analysis of groEL-I and groEL-II could differentiate between V. cholerae epidemic and nonepidemic isolates. Interestingly, the relationships among strains based on groEL-I from chromosome 1 and groEL-II from chromosome 2 were congruent with each other, highlighting the conserved evolutionary history of both chromosomes in this species. CONCLUSIONS: PCR-SSCP is a powerful typing technique, which has the ability to differentiate V. cholerae and V. mimicus isolates. The epidemic V. cholerae O1/O139 serogroup isolates represent a clonal complex distinct from non-O1/non-O139 isolates that can be identified by PCR-SSCP analysis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study highlights the effectiveness of using reliable molecular typing methods and in particular PCR-SSCP, to identify genetic variation among V. cholerae and V. mimicus isolates.     

Global identification of three major genotypes of varicella-zoster virus: longitudinal clustering and strategies for genotyping

By analysis of a single, variable, and short DNA sequence of 447 bp located within open reading frame 22 (ORF22), we discriminated three major varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genotypes. VZV isolates from all six inhabited continents that showed nearly complete homology to ORF22 of the European reference strain Dumas were assigned to the European (E) genotype. All Japanese isolates, defined as the Japanese (J) genotype, were identical in the respective genomic region and proved the most divergent from the E strains, carrying four distinct variations. The remaining isolates carried a combination of E- and J-specific variations in the target sequence and thus were collectively termed the mosaic (M) genotype. Three hundred twenty-six isolates collected in 27 countries were genotyped. A distinctive longitudinal distribution of VZV genotypes supports this approach. Among 111 isolates collected from European patients, 96.4% were genotype E. Consistent with this observation, approximately 80% of the VZV strains from the United States were also genotype E. Similarly, genotype E viruses were dominant in the Asian part of Russia and in eastern Australia. M genotype viruses were strongly dominant in tropical regions of Africa, Indochina, and Central America, and they were common in western Australia. However, genotype M viruses were also identified as a minority in several countries worldwide. Two major intertypic variations of genotype M strains were identified, suggesting that the M genotype can be further differentiated into subgenotypes. These data highlight the direction for future VZV genotyping efforts. This approach provides the first simple genotyping method for VZV strains in clinical samples.     

Prevalence of Escherichia coli strains in the canteens

The prevalence of enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) E. coli strains in stool specimens from asymptomatic human carriers working in the canteens and also in the kitchen and sanitary facilities was evaluated. The E. coli genes coding for the following virulence markers: intimin (eae), enterohaemolysin (hlyA), and verotoxins type I and II (stx1 and stx2) were sought by multiplex PCR assay. E. coli isolates were obtained from 144 stool specimens, 295 swabs taken from kitchen hardware and surrounding facilities, and from 33 meat specimens. Only 66 (8.5%) of total 777 E. coli isolates belonged to O44, O18, O25, O127, O55, O114, O125, and O142 serogroups, the prevalent serogroups in Poland. None of the strains was classified as serogroup O157. The serogroups O44 and O18 were present most often among all typeable strains and their incidence was 51.5% and 25.8% respectively. Among 363 isolates assayed for the presence of the genes encoding virulence markers only 10 isolates (2.8%) carried eae gene. None of the isolates possessing eae gene belonged to the serogroups tested. The hlyA, stx1 and stx2 genes were absent in all E. coli isolates tested.     

斑点热群立克次体的PCR／SSCP分型技术研究

本文应用PCR／SSCP技术对斑点热群立克次体国际标准株、国内各参考株及黑龙江立克农作54株、36株进行了分型鉴定。结果显示各株之间SSCP图谱差异明显,国内各参考株的SSCP,图谱与西伯利亚立克次体的图谱完全一致,黑龙江立克次作的图谱与国内各株显著不同。分析表明,我国存在2种斑点热群立克次体,即西伯利亚立克农作种和斑点热群立克次体新种－黑龙江立克次体。同时证明应用PCP／SSCP技术分析斑点热群立克农作型别,具有方法简单、经济省时、结果准确等优点。该分型技术应用于立克次体分型国内外未见报道。     

呼吸道产超广谱β-内酰胺酶分离株耐药基因初步分型

目的了解产超广谱β-内酰胺酶 (ESBLs)呼吸道分离株的主要基因型分布特点.方法用表型确证试验确定临床呼吸道标本中产ESBLs的大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌.应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)方法扩增产ESBLs株的bla(TEM)、bla(SHV)和bla(CTX-M)基因.结果 PCR结果显示bla(TEM)、bla(SHV)和bla(CTX-M)基因的总阳性率分别为40 .7%、45.7%和75.3%,其中大肠埃希菌分别为:64.9%、2.7%和91.9%,肺炎克雷伯菌分别为:20.5%、81.8%和61.4%.67.6%的大肠埃希菌和95.5%的肺炎克雷伯菌同时携带多个基因.结论深圳市人民医院呼吸道分离的产ESBLs大肠埃希菌的主要基因型为CTX-M,肺炎克雷伯菌主要基因型为SHV.大多数菌株同时携带多个基因.     

Population structure suggests reproductively isolated lineages of Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii

A survey of the genetic diversity and population structure of the Douglas-fir Swiss needle cast pathogen Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii was conducted with single-strand conformational polymorphisms (SSCP) to screen for variability in mitochondrial and nuclear housekeeping genes. Thirty host populations representing the natural range of Douglas-fir as well as locations where the tree was planted as an exotic were sampled. Sequencing of SSCP variants revealed that the method accurately detected both single nucleotide and indel polymorphisms. Sequence information was used to construct multilocus gene genealogies and to test various hypotheses of recombination (outcrossing) and clonality (selfing). We found that P. gaeumannii in the region of Oregon's Swiss needle cast epidemic exhibits strong multilocus gametic phase disequilibrium and is subdivided into two reproductively isolated sympatric lineages. Low genotypic diversity together with the presence of overrepresented genotypes in both lineages suggests a predominantly selfing reproductive mode. Genotypes of one lineage were found in isolates from a widespread geographic distribution, occurring throughout much of the Pacific Northwest as well as nonindigenous populations abroad that have historical reports of disease. Genotypes of the second lineage were detected only in isolates from Oregon's coastal region. Within the main epidemic area, abundance of this second lineage in young plantations appeared to be correlated with disease severity.     

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rDNA and low molecular weight RNA profiling of rhizobial isolates from shrubby legumes endemic to the Canary islands

Thirty-six strains of slow-growing rhizobia isolated from nodules of four woody legumes endemic to the Canary islands were characterised by 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP analyses (ARDRA) and LMW RNA profiling, and compared with reference strains representing Bradyrhizobium japonicum, B. elkanii, B. liaoningense, and two unclassified Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) strains. Both techniques showed similar results, indicating the existence of three genotypes among the Canarian isolates. Analysis of the combined RFLP patterns obtained with four endonucleases, showed the existence of predominant genotype comprising 75% of the Canarian isolates (BTA-1 group) and the Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) strains. A second genotype was shared by nine Canarian isolates (BGA-1 group) and the B. japonicum and B. liaoningense reference strains. The BES-5 strain formed an independent group, as also did the B. elkanii reference strains. LMW RNA profile analysis consistently resolved the same three genotypes detected by 16S ARDRA among the Canarian isolates, and suggested that all these isolates are genotypically more related to B. japonicum than to B. elkanii or B. liaoningense. Cluster analysis of the combined 16S ARDRA and LMW RNA profiles resolved the BTA-1 group with the Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) strains, and the BES-5 isolate, as a well separated sub-branch of the B. japonicum cluster. Thus, the two types of analyses indicated that the isolates related to BTA-1 conform a group of bradyrhizobial strains that can be clearly distinguishable from representatives of the tree currently described Bradyrhizobium species. No correlation between genotypes, host legumes, and geographic location was found.     

志贺菌GyrA基因突变与耐药相关性研究

收集 1 1 4株志贺菌流行株 ,分别作血清分型和检查对喹诺酮类药物的敏感性 ;PCR扩增耐药相关的GyrA基因片段 ,作单链构象多态性 (single strandconformationpolymorphism ,SSCP)分析和序列测定 ;最终研究突变与喹诺酮类耐药的相关性。结果发现我国志贺菌流行株仍以福氏志贺菌为主 ,约占 98 2 % ;大多数福氏志贺菌株对环丙沙星、诺氟沙星高度敏感 ,敏感率分别为81 2 5 %和 74 1 % ;流行株GyrA基因耐药相关片段与野生菌株相比 ,部分菌株出现C( 2 4 8) T单位点突变或C( 2 4 8) T和A( 2 60 ) G双位点突变 ;卡方检验显示 ,C( 2 4 8) T单位点突变基础上增加A( 2 60 ) G点突变与环丙沙星、诺氟沙星耐药相关 ,故A( 2 60 ) G可作为耐药监测位点 ;另外 ,可用SSCP分析PCR扩增的GyrA基因耐药相关片断 ,作为GyrA基因耐药突变的粗筛方法。     

Antibiotic susceptibility and molecular mechanisms of cephalosporins resistance in Klebsiella isolates from patients with hospital-acquired infections]

Antibiotic susceptibility of nosocomial Klebsiella isolates from inpatients of 30 medical centres in 15 various regions of Russia was studied. In total 212 strains were tested. The Klebsiella genus was represented by the following species: Klebsiella pmeumoniae ss. pneumoniae (182 isolates, 85.8%), Klebsiella pneumonia ss. ozaenae (1 isolate, 0.5%), Klebsiella oxytoca (29 isolates, 13.7%). The susceptibility was determined by the broth microdilution method. Carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem) remained to be the most active antibacterial agents. However, 1 imipenem resistant strain and 2 meropenem resistant strains were isolated. As for the 3rd generation cephalosporins, the lowest MICs were observed with the use of the inhibitor-protected agents, such as ceftazidime/clavulanic acid (MIC50 0.25 mcg/ml, MIC90 64 mcg/ml). 48.8%, 16.9%, 29.7% and only 10.5% of the isolates was susceptible to cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefoperazone respectively. Detecting of the beta-lactamase genes (TEM, SHV and CTX) was performed by PCR in 42 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae ss. pneumoniae. Alone or in various combination the TEM type beta-lactamases were detected in 16 (38.1%) isolates. SHV and CTX were detected in 29 (69%) and 27 (64.3%) isolates respectively. Combinations of 2 and 3 different determinants of resistance to beta-lactams were revealed in 23.8% and 26.2% of the isolates respectively. No isolates producing class B MBL among the carbapenem resistant nosocomial Klebsiella strains were detected.     

Variation in stress resistance patterns among stx genotypes and genetic lineages of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157

To evaluate the relationship between bacterial genotypes and stress resistance patterns, we exposed 57 strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 to acid, freeze-thaw, heat, osmotic, oxidative, and starvation stresses. Inactivation rates were calculated in each assay and subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. The stx genotype was determined for each strain as was the lineage-specific polymorphism assay (LSPA6) genotype. In univariate analyses, strains of the stx(1) stx(2) genotype showed greater resistance to heat than strains of the stx(1) stx(2c) genotype; moreover, strains of the stx(1) stx(2) genotype showed greater resistance to starvation than strains of the stx(2) or stx(2c) genotypes. LSPA6 lineage I (LI) strains showed greater resistance to heat and starvation than LSPA6 lineage II (LII) strains. PCA revealed a general trend that a strain with greater resistance to one type of stress tended to have greater resistance to other types of stresses. In cluster analysis, STEC O157 strains were grouped into stress-resistant, stress-sensitive, and intermediate clusters. In stx genotypes, all strains of the stx(1) stx(2) genotype were grouped with the stress-resistant cluster, whereas 72.7% (8/11) of strains of the stx(1) stx(2c) genotype grouped with the stress-sensitive cluster. In LI strains, 77.8% (14/18) of the strains were grouped with the stress-resistant cluster, whereas 64.7% (11/17) of LII strains were grouped with the stress-sensitive cluster. These results indicate that the genotypes of STEC O157 that are frequently associated with human illness, i.e., LI or the stx(1) stx(2) genotype, have greater multiple stress resistance than do strains of other genotypes.