Multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis for Escherichia coli causing extraintestinal infections

Discriminatory genotyping methods for the analysis of Escherichia coli other than O157:H7 are necessary for public health-related activities. A new multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis protocol is presented; this method achieves an index of discrimination of 99.5% and is reproducible and valid when tested on a collection of 836 diverse E. coli.