Highly specific DNA probe for enteroaggregative escherichia coli

An oligonucleotide comprises a DNA segment capable of hybridizing to DNA from enteroaggregative E. coli bacteria with high sensitivity and specificity. A recombinant vector comprises a vector carrying the oligonucleotide of the invention, the vector being capable of replication in a host. A host is transformed with the recombinant vector of the invention. A method of detecting the presence of enteroaggregative E. coli DNA in a biological sample with high sensitivity and specificity comprises adding to the sample the labeled oligonucleotide of the invention under conditions effective to promote hybridization thereof to the sample's DNA, and detecting the presence of hybridized labeled DNA. A method of detecting the presence of enteroaggregative E. coli RNA in a sample with high sensitivity and specificity comprises adding to the sample the oligonucleotide of the invention under conditions effective to promote hybridization thereof to the sample's RNA and detecting the presence of hybridized labeled RNA-DNA. An article of manufacture comprises in separate containers the oligonucleotide of the invention, a denaturing solution, a rinsing solution, filter paper, and the like and optionally a further oligonucleotide comprising a further DNA segment selected from the group consisting of enteropathogenic, enterotoxicogenic, enteroinvasive and enterohemorrhagic E. coli DNA and E. coli DNA exhibiting diffuse adherence. An article of manufacture comprises in separate containers the recombinant vector of the invention, a denaturing solution, a rinsing solution, filter paper, and the like and optionally a further oligonucleotide comprising a further DNA segment selected from the group consisting of enteropathogenic, enterotoxicogenic, enteroinvasive and enterohemorrhagic E. coli DNA and E. coli DNA exhibiting diffuse adherence.