This study describes the detection and virulence markers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from the pastoralist community of Nyabushozi. Three hundred faecal samples from cattle reared on range were cultured for Escherichia coli and these organisms were isolated from 72% (n=216) of the samples. The presence of STEC was investigated by PCR detection of stx genes. STEC was isolated 15 of 216 (6.9%) bovines. Strains predominately carried stx1 or both stx1 and stx2 genes. A single isolate of STEC representing each PFGE profile in association with stx gene content and in total 24 STEC isolates were serotyped for the O antigens. Four strains expressed a non-typeable O antigen whereas 20 strains were typed into 10 O serogroups including O8, O76, O111 and O113 which have been previously associated with severe human illness. The expression of Shiga toxin was detected in 19 of the 24 isolates which carried at least one of the stx genes. Using PCR, the eae genes was detected in 14 of 24, (58.3%) strains of different serogroups, including eae-positive strains of serogroup O113 which have not been previously described. In conclusion, cattle in pastoral communities of Uganda could be a potential source of an emerging human pathogen which requires regular surveillance in order to avert human outbreaks.
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