Patent ID: 7345161

Claim:
A detection reagent for use in detecting the Shiga toxin family gene type 2 (stx2) of entero-hemorrhagic Escherichia coli present in a sample that is used in a detection method using an RNA amplification process comprising the steps of: producing a cDNA with an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase using a specific sequence of an RNA derived from stx2 as a template, as well as a first primer having a sequence homologous to said specific sequence, and a second primer having a sequence complementary to said specific sequence, thereby forming a double-strand RNA-DNA, wherein either the first primer or the second primer has a sequence in which a promoter sequence of an RNA polymerase has been added to its 5′ end; degrading the RNA portion of said double-strand RNA-DNA by ribonuclease H, thereby producing a single-strand DNA; and producing a double-strand DNA having said promoter sequence capable of transcribing the RNA composed of the specific sequence of the RNA or the sequence complementary to said specific sequence of the RNA with a DNA-dependent DNA polymerase using said single-strand DNA as a template; wherein, the double-strand DNA produces an RNA transcription product in the presence of the RNA polymerase, and said RNA transcription product serves as a template for the subsequent cDNA synthesis with the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase; which reagent comprises, wherein the first primer is an oligonucleotide consisting of the sequence shown in SEQ. ID No. 1.