DIFFERENTIATION OF PATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA-COLI STRAINS IN BRAZILIAN CHILDREN BY PCR

A PCR technique to differentiate pathogenic enteric Escherichia coli s trains in a held setting was evaluated. Among 76 children with acute d iarrhea, this technique identified 12 children (16%) with enterotoxige nic E. coli, 6 (8%) with enteropathogenic E. coli, and 1 (1%) with ent eroinvasive E. coli infection. Compared with the conventional assays, the PCR method proved to be simpler, more rapid, and inexpensive and t herefore suitable for application in a developing-country field settin g.