[Detection of virulence-associated factors of Streptococcus suis by multiplex PCR assay].
OBJECTIVE
To rapidly and sensitively detect the four virulence-associated factors of Streptococcus suis, a multiplex PCR was developed.


METHODS
In the process of this reaction, four distinct DNA targets were amplified. One target was based on the serotype 2 (and 1/2) specific cps gene and the others were based on Streptococcus suis mrp, epf (epf*) and sly gene, encoding the MRP, EF(EF*) and Sly proteins of Streptococcus suis. 72 isolates, which including 48 strains of Streptococcus suis and 24 strains of negative control, and 49 clinical specimens were detected by the multiplex PCR assay.


RESULTS
All PCR products were detected by electrophoresis on 1.2% agarose gels. With the 48 Streptococcus suis strains, the positive detection rates of cps2+, mrp+, epf+, epf*+ and sly+ were 16/48, 14/48, 12/48, 3/48 and 26/48,respectively. The results were confirmed by bacteriological examination. There were no specific amplification products including 49 clinical specimens and 24 negative control strains.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrated that multiplex PCR was a highly specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of virulence-associated factors of streptococcus suis.
Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechnics, Nanjing 210002, China.
Hua-ru
HR
Wang
Chang-jun
CJ
Wang
Cheng-ping
CP
Lu
Xiu-zhen
XZ
Pan
Kai-hua
KH
Tao
Jia-qi
JQ
Tang
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D017011:Streptococcus suis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors