ENTEROHEMORRHAGIC ESCHERICHIA-COLI O157-H7 PRESENT IN RADISH SPROUTS

Using cultivation, immunofluorescence microscopy, and scanning electro n microscopy, we demonstrated the presence of viable enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 not only an the outer surfaces but also in t he inner tissues and stomata of cotyledons of radish sprouts grown fro m seeds experimentally contaminated with the bacterium. HgCl2 treatmen t of the outer surface of the hypocotyl did not kill the contaminating bacteria, which emphasized the importance of either using seeds free from E. coli O157:H7 in the production of radish sprouts or heating th e sprouts before they are eaten.