Genome assembly and copy number analysis both confirmed that two copies of the Shiga toxin stx2 prophage gene cluster are a distinctive characteristic of the genome of the O104:H4 outbreak strain.
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Analysis of genomic sequences obtained by BGI Shenzhen show that the O104:H4 outbreak strain is an enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC or EAggEC) type that has acquired Shiga toxin genes, presumably by horizontal gene transfer.
Escherichia coli | 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak | Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli | Melanosis coli | ''Escherichia coli'' O157:H7 | enteroaggregative ''E. coli'' | ''E. coli'' bacteria |
Escherichia coli O104:H21 is a rare serotype of Escherichia coli, a species of bacteria that lives in the lower intestines of mammals.