PCR Assay Specific for Chicken Feces.
Bacteroidalesare fecal anaerobic bacteria that are common in the digestive systems and feces of warm-blooded animals. Some strains ofBacteroidaleshave been reported to be host-specific. In this study,Bacteroidalesstrains from chicken feces were examined for their potential use as indicators of chicken fecal contamination.Bacteroidales16S rRNA gene sequences from chicken feces were amplified, cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using these sequences and publishedBacteroidales16S rRNA gene sequences from human and bovine feces. Primers were designed based on putative chicken feces-specific 16S rRNA gene sequences and the primer pairs were tested for specificity in PCR assays. One set of primers, chBact F1 and chBact R16, specifically amplified DNA from chicken feces in a PCR assay, but did not amplify wild turkey, cat, bovine, or deer fecal DNAs. In addition, DNA from feces contaminated straw-based chicken litter produced a product in the PCR assay. However, DNA from feces contaminated wood shavings-based chicken litter was not amplified. The PCR assay described here may prove a useful tool for the detection of chicken feces and for source tracking in watersheds with fecal contamination.
Department of Natural Sciences, 600 N. Grand Avenue, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, 74464.
Cindy R
CR
Cisar
Department of Natural Sciences, 600 N. Grand Avenue, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, 74464.
Tatsuya
T
Akiyama
Department of Natural Sciences, 600 N. Grand Avenue, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, 74464.
Jonathan
J
Hatley
Department of Natural Sciences, 600 N. Grand Avenue, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, 74464.
Lori
L
Arney
Department of Natural Sciences, 600 N. Grand Avenue, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, 74464.
Nebojsa
N
Kezunovic
Department of Natural Sciences, 600 N. Grand Avenue, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, 74464.
Daniel
D
Owen