Evaluation of PCR primers targeting the groEL gene for the specific detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in the context of aquaculture

Leigh, W.J., Zadoks, R.N. , Jaglarz, A., Costa, J.Z., Foster, G. and Thompson, K.D. (2018) Evaluation of PCR primers targeting the groEL gene for the specific detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in the context of aquaculture. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 125(3), pp. 666-674. (doi: 10.1111/jam.13925) (PMID:29786935)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to design a set of primers for specific detection and identification of Streptococcus agalactiae in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that can detect a diverse range of S. agalactiae isolates from different hosts and that it is capable of discriminating between S. agalactiae and other species that are closely related or potentially present in aquaculture environments, notably Streptococcus iniae. Methods and Results: Primers, based on the groEL2 gene of S. agalactiae, were shown to be epidemiologically sensitive to 97 isolates of S. agalactiae, representing 11 clonal complexes derived from piscine, terrestrial and aquatic mammalian host species. The primers were tested with 10 S. iniae isolates and 22 other comparator species with no cross‐reaction observed after optimization of reaction conditions. They have a high analytical sensitivity, detecting as few as 10 copies of S. agalactiae genomic DNA per reaction and are capable of detecting the target in DNA extracted from the brains of infected fish. Conclusions: The primers proved suitable for the sensitive and specific detection of S. agalactiae from dairy‐, human‐ and fish‐related origins by PCR. Significance and Impact of the Study: Due to the importance of S. agalactiae as a pathogen, many PCR primers have been published for this bacterium, designed largely for its detection in dairy and human samples, but many cross‐reacting with S. iniae. The ability to differentiate between S. agalactiae and S. iniae in aquaculture derived samples is important as both infect fish, causing similar disease symptoms and are phenotypically similar, yet control strategies and zoonotic risk are species specific.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was funded by Benchmark Animal Health Limited.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Zadoks, Professor Ruth and Thompson, Dr Kimberly and Leigh, William
Authors: Leigh, W.J., Zadoks, R.N., Jaglarz, A., Costa, J.Z., Foster, G., and Thompson, K.D.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Applied Microbiology
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1364-5072
ISSN (Online):1365-2672
Published Online:22 May 2018

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record