Detection of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli in food by Real Time PCR amplification of aggR and aat genes

The large outbreak occurred in Germany during Summer 2011 associated to the consumption of sprouts was caused by a VTEC strain which possessed atypical characteristics, and did not fit the current definition of pathogenic VTEC. In fact, the epidemic strain did not possess the eae gene, encoding the adherence factor intimin, but possessed genes that are typical of the Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC) group. The strain was indeed an EAggEC that had acquired the stx2a-converting bacteriophage. This matter has highlighted the importance to screen foodstuffs for EAggEC too, which may represent an emerging public health concern.