DNA hybridization in the diagnosis of bacterial diarrhea.

DNA hybridization with either cloned genes for enteropathogenic determinants or DNA segments that are species-specific is a valuable tool to identify certain bacterial enteric pathogens. Thus far, only E. coli and V. cholerae enterotoxin gene probes have been used to identify ETEC and V. cholerae in clinical specimens. DNA probes developed for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and enteroinvasive and enteropathogenic E. coli need to be evaluated with clinical specimens. The major contribution of this system so far has been to examine large numbers of specimens in epidemiologic studies. Once nonradioactive DNA probes are developed, this system will have potential application in clinical laboratories and in research laboratories in the developing world where diarrheal disease causes its greatest impact.