Abstract: Disclosed are assays, methods and kits for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and not E. coli O55:H7 from complex food matrices, water, a beverage sample, a fermentation broth, a forensic sample, an environmental sample (e.g., soil, dirt, garbage, sewage, air, or water), including food processing and manufacturing surfaces, or a biological sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and not E. coli O55:H7 from samples such as: complex food matrices, water, beverages, fermentation broths, forensic & biological samples, and environmental samples including food processing and manufacturing surfaces. In some embodiments, a method of the disclosure comprises: hybridizing at least a first pair of polynucleotide primers to at least a first target polynucleotide sequence, hybridizing at least a second pair of polynucleotide primers to at least a second target polynucleotide sequence, amplifying the at least first and at least second target polynucleotide sequences, and detecting the first and second amplified target polynucleotide sequence products, wherein the detection of both the first amplified target polynucleotide sequence product and the second amplified target polynucleotide sequence product is indicative of the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample and not E. coli O55:H7.

Abstract: Disclosed are assays, methods and kits for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and not E. coli O55:H7 from complex food matrices, water, a beverage sample, a fermentation broth, a forensic sample, an environmental sample (e.g., soil, dirt, garbage, sewage, air, or water), including food processing and manufacturing surfaces, or a biological sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are primer and probe compositions, PCR assays, methods and kits for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and not E. coli O55:H7 from a variety of samples. In some embodiments, methods for specifically detecting E. coli O157:H7 comprise: hybridizing at least a first pair of polynucleotide primers to at least a first target polynucleotide sequence, hybridizing at least a second pair of polynucleotide primers to at least a second target polynucleotide sequence, amplifying said at least first and said at least second target polynucleotide sequences, and detecting said at least first and said at least second amplified target polynucleotide sequence products, wherein the detection of both the first amplified target polynucleotide sequence product and the second amplified target polynucleotide sequence product is indicative of the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample and not E. coli O55:H7.

Abstract: Disclosed is the genomic sequence for E. coli O55:H7 as well as compositions, methods, and kits for detecting, identifying and distinguishing E. coli O55:H7 from non-O55:H7 strains. In some embodiments, isolated nucleic acid compositions unique and/or specific to E. coli O55:H7 are described. Methods of detection and/or indentifying E. coli O55:H7 comprising detecting at least one nucleic acid sequences comprising or derived from SEQ ID NO:1-5, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 252, SEQ ID NO: 1113, and SEQ ID NO: 1461, are described. Primer and probe compositions and methods of use of primers and probes are also provided. Kits for identification of E. coli O55:H7 are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are assays, methods and kits for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and not E. coli O55:H7 from complex food matrices, water, a beverage sample, a fermentation broth, a forensic sample, an environmental sample (e.g., soil, dirt, garbage, sewage, air, or water), including food processing and manufacturing surfaces, or a biological sample.