Identification of Bilophila wadsworthia by specific PCR which targets the taurine:pyruvate aminotransferase gene.
The bile-resistant, strictly anaerobic bacterium Bilophila wadsworthia is found in human faecal flora, in human infections and in environmental samples. A specific PCR primer set for the gene encoding the first metabolic enzyme in the degradative pathway for taurine in B. wadsworthia, taurine:pyruvate aminotransferase (tpa), was developed and tested. In addition, enrichment cultures were started from faecal samples of primates and felines and shown to contain B. wadsworthia. These were subcultured on agar media and then identified by PCR fingerprinting. PCR for tpa was successful in all positive enrichment cultures and showed no amplification signal in a variety of other bacterial species. Therefore, this PCR method could be a promising tool for rapid detection of B. wadsworthia in biological samples.
Laue
Heike
H
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
Smits
Theo H M
TH
Schumacher
Ulrike K
UK
Claros
Marina C
MC
Hartemink
Ralf
R
Cook
Alasdair M
AM
D000818:Animals; D045282:Bilophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D045989:Felidae; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011323:Primates; D012756:Sheep; D000637:Transaminases / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D000637:Transaminases; C022715:taurine pyruvate aminotransferase