stx2vha Is the Dominant Genotype of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated from Patients and Domestic Animals in Three Regions of China

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 strains were isolated from domestic animals and patients from Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China and the bordering Anhui and Henan Provinces and were examined for the stx genotype. Of 390 strains, 277 were identified as genotype stx2vha; 41, stx2; 51, stx2-stx1; 1, stx2-stx2vha-stx1; 5, stx2-stx2vha; and 15 were un-typeable. Of the 277 stx2vha-bearing isolates, 116 were isolated from goats; 42, cattle; 38, hens, and 35 from pigs. The study shows stx2vha is the dominant genotype and goats are an important reservoir.