Phage typing of Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O 157 isolated in the United Kingdom: 1989-91. |
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Authors: | J A Frost T Cheasty A Thomas and B Rowe |
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Institution: | Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, London. |
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Abstract: | Between 1989 and 1991 a total of 1092 Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O 157 isolated in the United Kingdom were phage typed in the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP). Twenty-three phage types was identified, the most frequent being types 2 (36.1%), 49 (29.6%), 1 (10.3%) and 4 (8.9%). Although isolations of O 157 VTEC have increased each year from 1 in 1982 to 532 in 1991, the predominant phage types have remained unchanged although the proportion of strains belonging to types 2 and 49 has increased. O 157 VTEC from 17 outbreaks were phage typed during this period with phage type 49 predominating (7 of 17 outbreaks). |
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