Comparison of a modified adherence assay with existing assay methods for identification of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli.

Localized, diffuse, and aggregative adherence patterns of Escherichia coli identified with specific DNA probes were compared in cell culture adherence assays by using the Center for Vaccine Development, Baltimore, method, the University of Texas Medical School, Houston (UTH), method, and a modified UTH method. Increasing postwash incubation time from 2 to 4 h in the modified UTH method allowed identification of enteroaggregative E. coli, which was otherwise not identified by the original UTH method.