Objective:
The objectives of this research are two-fold: (i) to genetically characterize clinical strains of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and (ii) to determine mortality rates for clinical EHEC strains in surface waters.

Approach:
Clinical EHEC strains, obtained from patients at Inova Fairfax Hospital, will be characterized using PCR and DNA-sequencing techniques previously developed by USDA scientists. Laboratory experiments will be conducted to determine mortality rates for clinical EHEC strains; strains will be incubated in surface waters from different sources and at different temperatures.