Sequences and their use for the detection and characterization of e. coli o157:h7

Abstract

This invention relates to a rapid method for detection and characterization of Escherichia coli bacteria serotype O157:H7 based on the presence of nucleic acid sequences, in particular, to a PCR-based method for detection, and to oligonucleotide molecules and reagents and kits useful therefore. This method is preferably employed to detect E. coli O157:H7 in a food or water sample, such as a beef enrichment. The present invention further relates to replication compositions and kits for carrying out the method of the present invention.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, or SEQ ID NO:26. 
     
     
         12 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 11 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises a primer region and a probe region, wherein said polynucleotide further comprises an 18-carbon non-amplifiable linker joining said primer region to said probe region, and wherein said polynucleotide further comprises a detectable label. 
     
     
         13 - 21 . (canceled)