Characterization of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Diarrhea Patients in São Paulo: Identification of Intermediate Virulence Factor Profiles by Multiplex PCR

Intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli is a major causative agent of severe diarrhea. In this study the prevalence of different pathotypes among 702 Brazilian diarrhea E. coli isolates was determined by multiplex PCR. Interestingly, most strains were enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) followed by atypical EPEC (ATEC). Classical EPEC strains were not detected.