Detection of shiga toxin 2 gene by ramification amplification method

  Objective   To develop a rapid and sensitive assay to detect shiga to xin-producing escherichia.coli.

  Methods   The sensitivity and specificity of RAM were compared with those of PCR by detecting synthetic Shiga toxin DNA target and isolated from food and clinical specimens.

  Results   The lowest number of targets detected by RAM assay was 10 molecules.Thirty-three strains from clinical samples and foods were detected by RAM and PCR, twenty-six among of which were positive for stx 2 gene.The results of both methods were the same.

  Conclusion   RAM assay could be an alternative to PCR to detect STEC in food product and clinical specimens because of its high sensitivity and specificity, simplicity and isothermal amplification.