Comparison of different primers for rapid detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus using the polymerase chain reaction

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare different primers for rapid and effective detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of four pairs of primers, three previously published and one based on a newly developed V. parahaemolyticus metalloprotease (vpm) gene, have been assayed for PCR detection of V. parahaemolyticus. They have been tested for specificity and sensitivity on a total of 101 strains including reference and environment isolates belonging to V. parahaemolyticus and other species in Vibrio. Of the four sets of primers tested, the one designed on the basis of the metalloprotease gene (675 bp) gave optimal results with bacterial strains examined as they only amplified the specific fragment in strains that had been genetically and biochemically assessed as V. parahaemolyticus and the limit of detection was 4 pg of purified target DNA. CONCLUSIONS: The primers designed on the metalloprotease gene gave optimal results for specific, sensitive and rapid detection of V. parahaemolyticus by PCR. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: PCR amplification with the optimal primer set VPM1/VPM2 could facilitate the rapid diagnosis and surveillance of potentially pathogenic strains of V. parahaemolyticus and reduce food-borne illness.