Rapid, high-throughput extraction of bacterial genomic DNA from selective-enrichment culture media

AIMS: To create a fast, sensitive and inexpensive high-throughput method for the extraction of bacterial genomic DNA from selective-enrichment culture media. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lysis of bacteria was achieved using guanidinium isothiocyanate, and DNA was extracted using 96-well glass microfibre filtration plates. Extraction-PCR detected the presence of 1 cfu Yersinia ruckeri and 16 cfu Lactococcus garvieae 200 microl(-1) sample of selective-enrichment medium. CONCLUSION: An efficient method for high-throughput extraction of bacterial genomic DNA from selective-enrichment culture media was achieved. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This method enables detection of covert bacterial infections in fish. The simultaneous extraction of large numbers of samples allows for its use in bacterial monitoring programmes and quarantine.