The use of PCR to aid in the rapid identification of Vibrio harveyi isolates.
OBJECTIVE
Vibrio harveyi is an important pathogen, causing potential devastation to marine aquaculture. This organism, however, is extremely difficult to identify because it is phenotypically diverse. Biochemical identification can involve many tests and take weeks to perform. The aim of this work is to develop a PCR that can reduce the number of biochemical tests, and the time taken, to get a definitive identification of this organism.


RESULTS
The PCR was developed using 16S rDNA sequences from a number of V. harveyi strains, and other vibrios. The described test gave positive results for all strains of V. harveyi tested. However, some strains of V. alginolyticus also gave positive results and a small number of biochemical tests were required to differentiate between these two species. This indicated that preisolation of the bacteria was needed and therefore the test was not applicable to the testing of mixed populations directly.


CONCLUSIONS
The duration of identification of this species was significantly reduced from a number of weeks to a few days. Hence, diagnosis of affected animals will be faster and earlier treatment can be administered which may increase the survival rate from vibriosis.
Oakey
H J
HJ
Oonoonba Veterinary Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Service, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Oonoonba, Queensland, Australia. jane.oakey@dpi.qld.gov.au
Levy
N
N
Bourne
D G
DG
Cullen
B
B
Thomas
A
A
D000818:Animals; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014733:Vibrio / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000662:veterinary; D014871:Water Microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S