Abstract
Verotoxigenic E.coli (VTEC) is one of the emerging pathogens worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of VTEC among One hundred from different dairy products samples (Kareish cheese and plain yogurt) were collected randomly from street-vendors, supermarkets and Small dairies at Alexandria City, Egypt. (50 of each). The Prevalence of Verotocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli in examined locally manufactured dairy products samples using Sorbitol MacConky agar give rise for 24% (6/25), 0% (0/25) and 12% (3/25), 12% (3/25) positive samples from street-vendor and supermarket Kareish cheese, ,and Supermarket Plain yogurt and Small dairies Plain yogurt, respectively while, its prevalence based on molecular identification revealed that only 8% (2/25) positive samples from street-vendor Kareish cheese. E.coli isolated from street-vendor Kareish cheese could be serologically identified into E.coli O26, O55 and O127, while that isolated from plain yoghurt samples into O55 and O86a. All screened E.coli strains had a determinant gene (phoA) while, stx1 and stx2 genes could be detected only in of selected street-vended Kareish cheese isolates., meanwhile both virulence genes could not be detected in all selected small dairies plain yoghurt isolates. On contrary, virulence gene eaeA could be detected in all test E.Coli isolates from street-vendor Kareish cheese and small dairies plain yoghurt. Prevalence of Verotoxigenic E.coli (VTEC) poses public health threats to consumers. Food safety concept should be implemented for all steps through manufacture in order to produce safe and good quality dairy products.

Key words: E.coli,VTEC , Kareish cheese, yoghurt, virulent genes