Evaluation of a new real-time PCR assay for the direct detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in stool specimens.

Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) are one of the most common causes for diarrhea worldwide, especially in children. We evaluated the rapid RIDA ® GENE (RG) real-time multiplex PCR assays (R-Biopharm, Darmstadt, Germany) for the detection of the most important diarrheagenic E. coli. Three hundred fifteen liquid or non-formed stool specimens were examined. The results of the RG multiplex assays were compared to specific PCR methods. The sensitivity and specificity of the RG PCRs were as follows, 100%/100% for the detection of EHEC, 96.3% and 99% for EPEC, 100% and 100% for the detection of EAEC, ETEC and EIEC, respectively. Overall, the RG real-time PCR system for the detection of DEC tested in this study provided reliable and rapid results and shows the ability as a useful addendum for the detection of diarrheagenic E. coli in the medical laboratory.