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Simultaneous detection of Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, and Yersinia ruckeri, three major fish pathogens, by multiplex PCR.

A multiplex PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA genes was developed for the simultaneous detection of three major fish pathogens, Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, and Yersinia ruckeri. The assay proved to be specific and as sensitive as each single PCR assay, with detection limits in the range of 6, 0.6, and 27 CFU for A. salmonicida, F. psychrophilum, and Y. ruckeri, respectively. The assay was useful for the detection of the bacteria in artificially infected fish as well as in fish farm outbreaks. Results revealed that this multiplex PCR system permits a specific, sensitive, reproducible, and rapid method for the routine laboratory diagnosis of infections produced by these three bacteria.

Aeromonas↗

Detection and characterization of the hemolysin genes in Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria by multiplex PCR.

A multiplex PCR assay was designed to amplify the Aeromonas hydrophila and A. veronii bv. sobria hemolysin and aerolysin genes. The assay was evaluated by using 121 clinical isolates and 7 reference strains of Aeromonas spp., and these were divided into five genotypes on the basis of the results of the multiplex PCR. The five genotypes were characterized as type 1 for those carrying the ahh1 gene only (36% of isolates), type 2 for those carrying the asa1 gene only (8.5% of isolates), type 3 for those carrying both the ahh1 and the asa1 genes (4% of isolates), type 4 for those carrying the ahh1 gene and the A. hydrophila aerA (aerolysin) gene (37.5% of isolates), and type 5 for those in which no hemolysin genes were detected (14% of isolates). The most common single hemolysin gene carried among all the Aeromonas isolates examined was ahh1, with 99 of 128 (77%) of isolates testing positive for this gene either alone or in combination with other hemolysin genes. Phenotypic expression of toxins was evaluated in a Vero cell culture cytotoxicity assay. These results indicated that there is a statistically significant correlation between the cytotoxin titers and the hemolysin genotype. Isolates belonging to genotype 4 (carrying both the ahh1 gene and the aerolysin and hemolysin aerA genes) expressed higher cytotoxin titers than isolates of the other genotypes (P < 0.001). These isolates were more cytotoxic in cell culture and may have greater clinical significance.

Aeromonas hydrophila↗

Rapid detection and differentiation of bovine herpesvirus 1 and 5 glycoprotein C gene in clinical specimens by multiplex-PCR.

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex-PCR) to detect and differentiate bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and 5 (BoHV-5) was developed using primers for the gene sequence that encodes the glycoprotein C. The technique was assessed against the BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 cell culture adapted strains, and clinical samples collected from animals with clinical signs of BoHV-1 (n = 10) or BoHV-5 (n = 7) infection and with diagnosis confirmed by virus isolation in cell culture and semi-nested PCR. Fifteen clinical samples from asymptomatic animals were included as control group. For the evaluation of the amplifiability of the extracted nucleic acid from clinical specimens was included a bovine internal control that amplified a 626 bp fragment of the ND5 gene present in the bovine mitochondrial DNA. For DNA extraction, a combination of the phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol and silica/guanidine isothiocyanate methods was used. The specificity of the BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 amplicons from standard strains were confirmed by sequence analysis. All the positive clinical samples for BoHV included in this study were characterized as BoHV-1 or BoHV-5 by the difference in length of the amplified product visualized in a agarose gel (354 bp size for BoHV-1, and 159 bp for BoHV-5). The internal control was amplified in all clinical specimens. Non-specific reactions were not observed when the multiplex-PCR was assessed with other viruses (bovine viral diarrhea virus and rabies virus) and BoHV-negative clinical samples from fetuses and adult cattle obtained from a slaughterhouse.

Animals↗

Demonstration of preferential binding of SYBR Green I to specific DNA fragments in real-time multiplex PCR.

SYBR Green I (SG) is widely used in real-time PCR applications as an intercalating dye and is included in many commercially available kits at undisclosed concentrations. Binding of SG to double-stranded DNA is non-specific and additional testing, such as DNA melting curve analysis, is required to confirm the generation of a specific amplicon. The use of melt curve analysis eliminates the necessity for agarose gel electrophoresis because the melting temperature (T(m)) of the specific amplicon is analogous to the detection of an electrophoretic band. When using SG for real-time PCR multiplex reactions, discrimination of amplicons should be possible, provided the T(m) values are sufficiently different. Real-time multiplex assays for Vibrio cholerae and Legionella pneumophila using commercially available kits and in-house SG mastermixes have highlighted variability in performance characteristics, in particular the detection of only a single product as assessed by T(m) analysis but multiple products as assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The detected T(m) corresponds to the amplicon with the higher G+C% and larger size, suggesting preferential binding of SG during PCR and resulting in the failure to detect multiple amplicons in multiplex reactions when the amount of SG present is limiting. This has implications for the design and routine application of diagnostic real-time PCR assays employing SG.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Molecular typing of Haemophilus influenzae using a DNA probe and multiplex PCR.

The use of new molecular typing methods for the characterization of Haemophilus influenzae strains is reported. Sixty-four isolates of H. influenzae originating from different types of infection and obtained from eight hospitals across Canada were first analysed for restriction polymorphism. Chromosomal DNA fragments generated by two different combinations of restriction endonucleases were electrophoresed and transferred to nylon membranes before hybridization with a species specific 32P-labelled DNA fragment (5 kb) used as a probe. The combinations Bg/II/PstI led to 11 typing groups (A-K) and BamHI/Bg/II/PstI to 14 sub-groups, respectively. Most of the isolates retrieved from cerebrospinal fluids (10/13; 76.9%) were classified in two groups (A and B) and two sub-groups. Isolates from respiratory tract infections were mostly found in groups C and E (24/32; 75.0%), and divided into seven sub-groups. Selected ampicillin-resistant, beta-lactamase-negative strains were also found in groups C and E (11/14; 78.6%). Isolates from conjunctivitis and acute otitis media were classified in various groups. All biotypes (I-VIII) and serotypes (none, a-f) were spread among the typing groups although biotype I prevailed in groups A, B, and G; II in group E (sub-group 6); and III in group C. A PCR approach derived from the typing system was also tested. A set of 25-mer primers was selected from the 5-kb DNA probe for the amplification of a 317-bp region. This set of primers was used concomitantly in a PCR multiplex assay with a set of primers selected from the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the H. influenzae P1 protein. This multiplex assay was also able to discriminate the clonal origin of some H. influenzae strains because size polymorphism was observed in PCR products. The PCR approach was then used to determine the genetic relatedness of H. influenzae strains found persistently in sputa of some patients with cystic fibrosis. Genetically related strains could be isolated from some patients even after antibiotherapy and months between visits, whereas other patients showed distinct strains. In summary, our typing system is able to provide new characteristics for strains having identical biotype or serotype. The rapid PCR alternative may prove useful for specific epidemiological and strain-tracking studies.

Adolescent↗

Implications of a common polymorphism in intron 12 of the dystrophin gene for deletion detection by multiplex PCR.

The multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a reliable and efficient method for detecting dystrophin gene deletions in about 65% of patients with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD or BMD). The 9-plex PCR assay, which simultaneously amplifies the muscle-specific promoter and exons 3, 6, 13, 43, 47, 50, 52 and 60, is one of the multiplex PCR assays used routinely to test for DMD and BMD deletions. In this study, we describe a previously unrecognized A to G base variation in intron 12 (nt -110 from exon 13) of the dystrophin gene. This variant, located within the annealing site of the exon 13 forward primer, prevented amplification of exon 13 in the 9-plex PCR assay. Present in 56% (25 of 45) of normal Caucasian alleles and 23% (3 of 13) of normal black American alleles, it is likely encountered frequently during dystrophin deletion analysis by multiplex PCR, and may complicate test result interpretation. Therefore, we suggest two modifications for the multiplex PCR detection of dystrophin gene deletion.

Alleles↗

Reliable detection and identification of genetically modified maize, soybean, and canola by multiplex PCR analysis.

Multiplex PCR procedures were developed for simultaneously detecting multiple target sequences in genetically modified (GM) soybean (Roundup Ready), maize (event 176, Bt11, Mon810, T14/25), and canola (GT73, HCN92/28, MS8/RF3, Oxy 235). Internal control targets (invertase gene in corn, lectin and beta-actin genes in soybean, and cruciferin gene in canola) were included as appropriate to assess the efficiency of all reactions, thereby eliminating any false negatives. Primer combinations that allowed the identification of specific lines were used. In one system of identification, simultaneous amplification profiling (SAP), rather than target specific detection, was used for the identification of four GM maize lines. SAP is simple and has the potential to identify both approved and nonapproved GM lines. The template concentration was identified as a critical factor affecting efficient multiplex PCRs. In canola, 75 ng of DNA template was more effective than 50 ng of DNA for the simultaneous amplification of all targets in a reaction volume of 25 microL. Reliable identification of GM canola was achieved at a DNA concentration of 3 ng/microL, and at 0.1% for GM soybean, indicating high levels of sensitivity. Nonspecific amplification was utilized in this study as a tool for specific and reliable identification of one line of GM maize. The primer cry1A 4-3' (antisense primer) recognizes two sites on the DNA template extracted from GM transgenic maize containing event 176 (European corn borer resistant), resulting in the amplification of products of 152 bp (expected) and 485 bp (unexpected). The latter fragment was sequenced and confirmed to be Cry1A specific. The systems described herein represent simple, accurate, and sensitive GMO detection methods in which only one reaction is necessary to detect multiple GM target sequences that can be reliably used for the identification of specific lines of GMOs.

Brassica napus↗

Detection of cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC genes in Campylobacter jejuni by multiplex PCR.

A multiplex PCR was developed for simultaneous detection of the cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) genes of Campylobacter jejuni. Three primer pairs targeting each one of the cdtA, cdtB and cdtC genes were designed and combined in the same PCR reaction. The assay was evaluated with 100 C. jejuni strains recovered from humans and animals and it was found to be rapid and specific. Two isolates presented several deletions affecting both cdtA and cdtB genes. High prevalence (98%) of the three cdt genes was found among isolates of different geographic origins.

Animals↗

Detection of shiga-like toxin (stx1 and stx2), intimin (eaeA), and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) hemolysin (EHEC hlyA) genes in animal feces by multiplex PCR.

A multiplex PCR was developed for the rapid detection of genes encoding Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (stx1 and stx2), intimin (eaeA), and enterohemolysin A (hlyA) in 444 fecal samples derived from healthy and clinically affected cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. The method involved non-solvent-based extraction of nucleic acid from an aliquot of an overnight culture of feces in EC (modified) broth. The detection limit of the assay for both fecal samples and pure cultures was between 18 and 37 genome equivalents. stx1 and hlyA were the most commonly encountered virulence factors.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Detection of the van alphabet and identification of enterococci and staphylococci at the species level by multiplex PCR.

A multiplex PCR assay was developed for detection of the six types of glycopeptide resistance characterized in enterococci and for identification of Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis at the species level. Primers targeting the genes vanA, vanB, vanC, vanD, vanE, vanG, and ddl of E. faecium and E. faecalis and nuc of S. aureus and a chromosomal portion specific to S. epidermidis were designed to allow amplification of fragments with various sizes. This specific and sensitive technique allows detection of glycopeptide-resistant strains, in particular methicillin-resistant S. aureus, that may escape phenotype-based automated rapid methods.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Species-specific identification of human adenoviruses by a multiplex PCR assay.

A multiplex PCR assay was developed by using primers to the fiber gene that could differentiate human adenovirus (Ad) species A through F in a single amplification reaction. The assay correctly identified the species of all 49 recognized Ad prototype strains as well as 180 geographically and temporally diverse Ad field isolates. Ad serotype 6 (Ad6) (species C), Ad16 (species B), Ad31 (species A), and Ad40 and Ad41 (species F) could also be distinguished by amplicon size within each respective species. In comparison, a previously described Ad species-specific multiplex PCR assay that used primers to the Ad hexon gene gave equivocal results with several serotypes of species B, whereas our multiplex assay amplified all species B serotypes equally well. Our multiplex PCR assay will permit rapid, accurate, and cost-effective classification of Ad isolates.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗

Rapid detection of six types of bacterial pathogens in marine waters by multiplex PCR.

A rapid multiplex PCR (m-PCR) method that allows the simultaneous detection, in a single tube, of six commonly encountered waterborne pathogens is developed. The target genes used were: the aerolysin (aero) gene of Aeromonas hydrophila, the invasion plasmid antigen H (ipaH) gene of Shigella flexneri, the attachment invasion locus (ail) gene of Yersinia enterocolitca, the invasion plasmid antigen B (ipaB) gene of Salmonella typhimurium, the enterotoxin extracellular secretion protein (epsM) gene of Vibrio cholerae and a species-specific region of the 16S-23S rDNA (Vpara) gene of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were used as the gene targets. Multiplex PCR using the six pairs of primers produced specific amplicons of the expected sizes from mixed populations of reference bacterial strains in seawater and from pure cultures. The m-PCR assay was specific and rapid, with a turnaround time of < 12 h. The detection limit of the assay for the bacterial targets was estimated at 10(0)-10(2) cfu. Multiplex PCR analysis was performed on 19 seawater samples collected around Hong Kong and the results indicated significant levels of four bacterial pathogens at several sites where primary sewage wastes are discharged, and the levels of which showed no correlation with E. coli counts. Overall, both laboratory and field validation results demonstrated that the m-PCR assay developed in this study could provide a cost-effective and informative supplement to conventional microbiological methods for routine monitoring and risk assessment of water quality.

Bacteria↗

A simple and reliable protocol for the detection of apple stem grooving virus by RT-PCR and in a multiplex PCR assay.

Primers were identified which amplify specifically a 499 bp fragment in the coat protein coding region of apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) genome. These primers were used in various RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses for the detection of ASGV in Chenopodium quinoa, Nicotiana occidentalis, and in species of Malus and Pyrus. Isolates of ASGV in Malus and Pyrus from locations in Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, and the U.S.A. were reliably detected in leaf and bark (budwood) tissue. Storage of the tissues at -80 degrees C for more than 4 months did not affect the reliability of detection by immunocapture (IC) RT-PCR. Triton-X was not necessary for the detection of ASGV by IC/RT-PCR, and it was also possible to combine the antibody incubation and virus sap incubation into a single step without any obvious loss in sensitivity. A Tube Capture (TC) RT-PCR procedure was developed that eliminated the need for antibody binding of the virus. Phosphate buffered saline with 2% PVP was identified as the most effective sample-grinding buffer for the detection of ASGV by IC/RT-PCR and TC/RT-PCR. TC/RT-PCR facilitated the simultaneous detection (multiplex PCR) of ASGV and cherry mottle leaf virus.

Base Sequence↗

Laboratory diagnosis of common herpesvirus infections of the central nervous system by a multiplex PCR assay.

A sensitive multiplex PCR assay for single-tube amplification that detects simultaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is reported with particular emphasis on how the method was optimized and carried out and its sensitivity was compared to previously described assays. The assay has been used on a limited number of clinical samples and must be thoroughly evaluated in the clinical context. A total of 86 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from patients which had the clinical symptoms of encephalitis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis were included in this study. The sensitivity of the multiplex PCR was determined to be 0.01 and 0.03 50% tissue culture infective doses/the reciprocal of the highest dilution positive by PCR for HSV-1 and HSV-2 respectively, whereas for VZV, CMV and EBV, 14, 18, and 160 ag of genomic DNA were detected corresponding to 48, 66, and 840 genome copies respectively. Overall, 9 (10.3%) of the CSF samples tested were positive in the multiplex PCR. HSV-1 was detected in three patients (3.5%) with encephalitis, VZV was detected in four patients (4.6%) with meningitis, HSV-2 was detected in one neonate (1.16%), and CMV was also detected in one neonate (1.16%). None of the samples tested was positive for the EBV genome. None of the nine positive CSF samples presented herpesvirus coinfection in the central nervous system. Failure of DNA extraction or failure to remove any inhibitors of DNA amplification from CSF samples was avoided by the inclusion in the present multiplex PCR assay of alpha-tubulin primers. The present multiplex PCR assay detects simultaneously five different herpesviruses and sample suitability for PCR in a single amplification round of 40 cycles with an excellent sensitivity and can, therefore, provide an early, rapid, reliable noninvasive diagnostic tool allowing the application of antiviral therapy on the basis of a specific viral diagnosis. The results of this preliminary study should prompt a more exhaustive analysis of the clinical value of the present multiplex PCR assay.

Central Nervous System Viral Diseases↗

Detection of deletion mutations extending beyond the HPRT gene by multiplex PCR analysis.

A multiplex PCR assay was developed for the rapid analysis of deletion size at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus. The DNA sequence of mapped DNA segments flanking the hprt gene was determined. These cloned DNAs were derived from the ends of a set of overlapping yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC) defining a contig of 8 Mb at Xq26 and including hprt. We used "bubble" PCR to isolate an additional YAC end-clone. Seven primer pairs were derived from DNA sequence analysis of the clones and incorporated into a multiplex PCR assay. These primer pairs define loci located approximately 750 kb and 350 kb upstream of hprt and 300 kb, 540 kb, 900 kb, 1260 kb, and 1400 kb downstream of hprt. A primer pair for an unlinked and unselected gene sequence (K-ras) was also included in the multiplex reaction to serve as an internal positive control. Using this new assay, hprt mutant DNAs can be screened to determine the extent of deletion. Deletions larger than 2 Mb have been identified and show that large deletions can be tolerated at this hemizygous locus.

Adult↗

Detection of Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti infected blood samples using multiplex PCR.

A rapid and sensitive multiplex PCR has been developed for the diagnosis of multiple parasitic infection in human blood. Infection is detected by a single multiplex PCR reaction containing two pairs of oligonucleotide primers whereby each primer is specific for each parasite species. These primer sets amplified 400 and 450-bp fragments for Wuchereria bancrofti and 208-bp fragment for Plasmodium falciparum. The PCR products derived from each parasite species were visualized in ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels, therefore allowing the rapid identification of any, or all, of the two human parasites, if present, in a single amplification reaction. This multiplex PCR was very sensitive with the ability to detect the presence of as little as 10 pg of parasite DNA. The primers used in this multiplex PCR also showed highly specific amplification of each respective parasite DNA without the presence of non-specific and non-target PCR products. This multiplex PCR system was used to analyse 36 human blood samples of Myanmar workers in the endemic area at Tak Province, Thailand. Two samples showed the multiple infection, 27 samples were either infected with W. bancrofti or P. falciparum and seven samples were negative for both methods. The high sensitivity, specificity and rapidity of this multiplex PCR method make it suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies and following of drug treatment.

Adolescent↗