Comparative study on rapid identification methods for Escherichia albertii

Objective To understand the specificity of the rapid identification methods for Escherichia albertii. Methods Fifty-one E. albertii strains and other control strains were used to evaluate the specificities of multiplex-PCR based on clpX, lysP and mdh genes, PCR based on EA 0134 gene and nested PCR based on EACBF 2103 -EACBF 2104 gene. Amplification sequences were used for analysis and compare after sequencing. Results All of 51 strains of E. albertii were positive in multiplex-PCR, the identification rate was 100%.The results of 2 round nested PCR were all positive, the identification rate was 100%, and the first round nested PCR results in the control group were all negative, but non-specific band appeared in the second round. In the 51 strains, 49 were positive for EA 0134 gene, the identification rate was 96.08%, and similar fragments were amplified from Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the control strains. Conclusion The deletion of EA 0134 gene in some strains might lead to misdiagnosis. The multiplex-PCR and 1st round nested PCR were highly specific, which can be used as the main method for the rapid identification of suspected E. albertii strains, clinical diagnosis of E. albertii infection and response of related public health emergency.