Detection of papC Genes From E. coli Isolates of Pork Origin

Thirty six E. coli isolates belonging to 18 serotypes and rough strains recovered from pork were evaluated for presence of papC gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The papC gene was detected in 12 (33.3%) isolates of E. coli (serogroups viz. O1, O5, O12, O24, O49, O75, O127 and O147), however, papC genes were not observed in rough strains of E. coli. The study suggests that pork may be a potential source of pathogenic E. coli with papC gene to humans.