Molecular Detection of the Three Major Pathogenic Vibrio Species from Seafood Products and Sediments in Tunisia Using Real-Time PCR

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 2086-2094 ◽  
Author(s):  
MORSI GDOURA ◽  
HANEN SELLAMI ◽  
HANEN NASFI ◽  
RAHMA TRABELSI ◽  
SABEUR MANSOUR ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Vibrio spp. have emerged as a serious threat to human health worldwide. V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae, and V. vulnificus pose a considerable public health risk in Tunisia because they cause sporadic and epidemic foodborne infections associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked contaminated seafood. More recently, toxR-positive V. alginolyticus was also reported to be a potential source of contaminated seafood. A total of 247 samples, including 113 fishes (Labrus viridis, Penaeus kerathurus, Diplodus annularis, Diplodus sparaillon, Scorparna porcus, Sarpa salpa, Dentex dentex, Scorparna scrofa, Sardinella aurita, Trachurus trachurus, Synodus saurus, Pagellus erythrinus, and Metapenaeus monoceros), 83 clams (Ruditapes decussatus species), 30 seawater samples, and 21 sediment samples were analyzed using traditional culture methods (ISO/TS 21872-1; International Organization for Standardization 2007) and a conventional PCR method for Vibrio spp. identification. A rapid, sensitive, and highly reproducible real-time PCR assay was developed to detect the three major Vibrio spp. pathogenic for humans in Tunisian seafood products and sediments. A conventional culture method found 102 (41.3%) of 247 analyzed samples positive for Vibrio spp.; a conventional PCR method found 126 (51%) of the 247 samples positive. Real-time PCR assay found 126 (51.1%) samples positive; V. alginolyticus toxR was the most common, found in 99 (78.57%) of samples, followed by V. parahaemolyticus in 26 (20.63%) and V. cholerae in 1 (0.7%). All culture-positive samples were PCR positive. However, 24 samples that were positive by conventional PCR and real-time PCR were culture negative. Our findings indicate that retail seafood is commonly contaminated with Vibrio spp. and presents a potential risk to human health in Tunisia. These data also indicate that real-time PCR can provide sensitive species-specific detection of Vibrio spp. in seafood without prior isolation and characterization of the bacteria by traditional microbiological methods.

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 7430-7434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor G. Phister ◽  
David A. Mills

ABSTRACT Traditional methods to detect the spoilage yeast Dekkera bruxellensis from wine involve lengthy enrichments. To overcome this difficulty, we developed a quantitative real-time PCR method to directly detect and enumerate D. bruxellensis in wine. Specific PCR primers to D. bruxellensis were designed to the 26S rRNA gene, and nontarget yeast and bacteria common to the winery environment were not amplified. The assay was linear over a range of cell concentrations (6 log units) and could detect as little as 1 cell per ml in wine. The addition of large amounts of nontarget yeasts did not impact the efficiency of the assay. This method will be helpful to identify possible routes of D. bruxellensis infection in winery environments. Moreover, the time involved in performing the assay (3 h) should enable winemakers to more quickly make wine processing decisions in order to reduce the threat of spoilage by D. bruxellensis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitra Houhoula ◽  
Stamatios Koussissis ◽  
Vladimiros Lougovois ◽  
John Tsaknis ◽  
Dimitra Kassavita ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was the implementation of molecular techniques in the detection and quantification of allergic substances of peanut in various kinds of food products, e.g., breakfast cereals, chocolates and biscuits that are frequently related to allergies. In some cases, the presence of peanuts can be due to contamination during production and are not declared on the label. A total of 152 samples were collected from supermarkets and were analysed by a Real Time PCR method. The results indicated that 125 samples (83,3%) were found positive in peanut traces but the most important finding is that from the 84 samples that had no allergen declaration for peanuts, 48 (57,1%) of them were found positive. In conclusion, Real Time PCR can be a very important tool for the rapid detection and quantification of food allergens.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiyu Zhang ◽  
Ming Yao ◽  
Zhihui Tang ◽  
Daning Xu ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pathogens including duck-origin avian influenza virus (AIV), duck-origin Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) posed great harm to ducks and caused great economic losses to the duck industry. In this study, we aim to develop a triplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect these three viruses as early as possible in the suspicious duck flocks. Results The detection limit of the triplex real-time PCR for AIV, NDV, and DTMUV was 1 × 101 copies/μL, which was at least 10 times higher than the conventional PCR. In addition, the triplex assay was highly specific, and won’t cross-react with other duck pathogens. Besides, the intra-day relative standard deviation and inter-day relative standard deviation were lower than 4.44% for these viruses at three different concentrations. Finally, a total of 120 clinical samples were evaluated by the triplex real-time PCR, the conventional PCR and virus isolation, and the positive rates for these three methods were 20.83, 21.67, 19.17%, respectively. Taking virus isolation as the gold standard, the diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value of the three viruses were all above 85%, while the diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value of the three viruses were all 100%. Conclusion The developed triplex real-time PCR is fast, specific and sensitive, and is feasible and effective for the simultaneous detection of AIV, NDV, and DTMUV in ducks.


Author(s):  
Trong Pham Nhu ◽  
Long Le Thanh ◽  
Trung Nguyen Thanh ◽  
Yen Ta Thi ◽  
Loan Pham Thi ◽  
...  

Bifidobacterium strains with probiotic effects have been widely used in dairy products, food additives and pharmaceuticals. Especially, Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) is usually presented into food products such as functional food. However, it is difficult to detect, and quantify B. bifidum in a sample with a combination of different probiotics. In Vietnam, there is no official standard method to identify and quantify B. bifidum in the sample with the mix of probiotic species. To fulfil the requirements of a robust quality management, we have developed a quantitative real-time PCR assay based on groEL gene for accurate identification and quantification of Bifidobacterium bifidum. The developed assay allows an unambiguous speciesspecific detection. We built the real-time PCR method to detect and identify B. bifidum in functional and supplemented food with specific up to 100% and reproducibility (SR<0.25) suitable with Annex F AOAC: 2016. This real-time PCR method is rapidly and effectively than conventional method. It takes only 24 hours to detect and identify B. bifidum in compare with at least a period of 3-5 days for conventional methods. The low quantitative limit is 105 CFU/g/mL, which is consistent with probiotic and powdered milk products with a declared quality of more than 106 CFU/g/mL.


2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 2059-2066 ◽  
Author(s):  
HOLGER SCHÖNENBRÜCHER ◽  
KATRIN ANNETTE GÖBEL ◽  
AMIR ABDULMAWJOOD ◽  
JÜRGEN A. RICHT ◽  
MICHAEL BÜLTE

The removal of certain central nervous system (CNS) tissues (part of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk material) from the food chain is one of the highest priority tasks associated with avoiding contamination of the human food chain with the agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. A recently developed real-time PCR assay and three commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of CNS tissues in minced meat and three types of heat-treated sausages were evaluated. Bovine brain was used for spiking of internal reference material, and its detectability was examined during storage times of 12 months (for frozen minced meat and liver sausage) and 24 months (for sausages treated with medium and high heat). The real-time PCR method and both ELISA kits detected 0.1% CNS tissue in frozen minced meat and 0.1 or 1% CNS tissue in heat-treated meat products. The detectability of the amplified mRNA target region with the PCR assay was similar to the detectability of antigen by the ELISAs. Because the real-time PCR method also can be used to distinguish cattle, ovine, and caprine CNS tissues from porcine CNS tissues, it seems to be suitable as a routine diagnostic test for the sensitive and specific detection of CNS tissues in meat and meat products.


2000 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danbing Ke ◽  
Christian Ménard ◽  
François J Picard ◽  
Maurice Boissinot ◽  
Marc Ouellette ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Group B streptococci (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, are the leading bacterial cause of meningitis and bacterial sepsis in newborns. Currently available rapid methods to detect GBS from clinical specimens are unsuitable for replacement of culture methods, mainly because of their lack of sensitivity. Methods: We have developed a PCR-based assay for the rapid detection of GBS. The cfb gene encoding the Christie-Atkins-Munch-Petersen (CAMP) factor was selected as the genetic target for the assay. The PCR primers were initially tested by a conventional PCR method followed by gel electrophoresis. The assay was then adapted for use with the LightCyclerTM. For this purpose, two fluorogenic adjacent hybridization probes complementary to the GBS-specific amplicon were designed and tested. In addition, a rapid sample-processing protocol was evaluated by colony-forming unit counting and PCR. A total of 15 vaginal samples were tested by both standard culture method and the two PCR assays. Results: The conventional PCR assay was specific because it amplified only GBS DNA among 125 bacterial and fungal species tested, and was able to detect all 162 GBS isolates from various geographical areas. This PCR assay allowed detection of as few as one genome copy of GBS. The real-time PCR assay was comparable to conventional PCR assay in terms of sensitivity and specificity, but it was more rapid, requiring only ∼30 min for amplification and computer-based data analysis. The presence of vaginal specimens had no detrimental effect on the sensitivity of the PCR with the sample preparation protocol used. All four GBS-positive samples identified by the standard culture method were detected by the two PCR assays. Conclusion: These assays provide promising tools for the rapid detection and identification of GBS.


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