A direct polymerase chain reaction method to EC cultured broth (named EC-PCR) for screening detection of enteropathogenic E. coli (ETEC, VTEC and EIEC) in foods and feces is described. Eleven E. coli strains belonging to three groups (4ETEC: 06, 025, 0128, 0148; 4VTEC: 026, 0111, 0145, 0157; and 3EIEC: 028ac, 0124, 0164) were used for this study. Four pairs of oligonucleotide primers homologous to LT, ST, VT and EIEC genes were used in combination. The culture condition at 37-43°C for 16-20 h in EC broth was most suitable for the EC-PCR method, and no cross readings were observed with other bacteria, substances in meats or feces. After a 20-h enrichment step, it was possible to detect fewer than 10 to 10² bacteria per g of the aritificially inoculated meat. E. coli was easily detected because of low contamination with other bacteria which disturb the detection of E. coli . However, in feces, it ranged from 10³ to 10⁴ cfu per g. The large number of bacteria with feces are the main limiting factor of the EC-PCR detection assay. All E. coli strains examined were detected from all the enrichment cultures on both the EC-PCR and the culture methods. In two sporadic cases and two food poisoning cases, the enteropathogenicity of E. coli isolates from patients was rapidly judged by the EC-PCR method. These findings were consistent with those of the culture method. Thus, the findings suggest that the EC-PCR method is a suitable, sensitive and rapid method for detection of the potentially enteropathogenic E. coli .