title: Multiplex PCR-based identification of Streptococcus canis, Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies from dogs.
abstract: Streptococcus canis (S. canis), Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies (S. dysgalactiae subspecies) are β-haemolytic Gram positive bacteria infecting animals and humans. S. canis and S. zooepidemicus are considered as two of the major zoonotic species of Streptococcus, while more research is needed on S. dysgalactiae subspecies bacteria. In this work, a multiplex-PCR protocol was tested on strains and clinical samples to detect S. canis, S. dysgalactiae subspecies and S. equi subspecies bacteria in dogs. All strains were correctly identified as S. canis, S. equi subspecies or S. dysgalactiae subspecies by the multiplex-PCR. The main Streptococcus species isolated from symptomatic dogs were confirmed S. canis. The multiplex-PCR protocol described is a rapid, accurate and efficient method for identifying S. canis, S. equi subspecies and S. dysgalactiae subspecies in dogs and could be used for diagnostic purposes and for epidemiological studies.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 93/95 62024 Matelica MC, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moriconi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Acke
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 93/95 62024 Matelica MC, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 93/95 62024 Matelica MC, Italy. Electronic address: silvia.preziuso@unicam.it.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preziuso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018502:Streptococcus equi / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: Dogs; Humans; Multiplex-PCR; Streptococcus canis; Streptococcus dysgalactiae; Streptococcus zooepidemicus; Zoonosis