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The virulence properties of Escherichia coli O157 isolates were compared with those of Shiga-like-toxin-producing E. coli of non-O157 serogroups. The growth of all E. coli O157 isolates was stimulated by both heme and hemoglobin, and all produced enterohemolysin. The incidence of these properties was significantly lower in the non-O157 isolates. This may contribute to the greater virulence and higher incidence of human infection caused by E. coli O157.
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