Single primer polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting for Pasteurella multocida isolates from laboratory rabbits

S M Dabo1, A W Confer, Y S Lu

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Pathology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078-2007, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting effectively differentiates Pasteurella multocida isolates from rabbits. This method using minisatellite and microsatellite primers is efficient and reproducible, even with boiled bacterial extracts.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Veterinary Science

Background:

  • Pasteurella multocida is a significant pathogen in laboratory rabbits, causing pasteurellosis.
  • Accurate and rapid identification of P. multocida strains is crucial for disease control and research.
  • Existing methods for strain discrimination may be time-consuming or complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting technique for discriminating among Pasteurella multocida isolates.
  • To assess the efficiency and reproducibility of PCR fingerprinting using different types of primers.
  • To determine the optimal sample preparation method for PCR analysis of P. multocida.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 33 P. multocida isolates from rabbits with clinical pasteurellosis.
  • Employed PCR assays with minisatellite (M13 core, M13 modified core) and microsatellite ([GTG]5, [GACA]4) primers.
  • Compared PCR fingerprint patterns generated from boiled bacterial extracts and purified genomic DNA, and assessed the impact of plasmids.

Main Results:

  • Minisatellite and microsatellite primers generated distinct PCR fingerprint types, with [GACA]4 yielding the highest number of types (9).
  • PCR fingerprint patterns from isolated DNA differed from boiled extracts, but discrimination efficacy was similar.
  • The presence or absence of plasmids did not influence the PCR fingerprint results.

Conclusions:

  • Single-primer PCR fingerprinting with minisatellite and microsatellite primers is an efficient and reproducible method for discriminating P. multocida isolates from rabbits.
  • The technique can be performed directly using boiled bacterial extracts as a template source.
  • While purified genomic DNA yielded more bands, boiled extracts provide a practical and effective alternative for strain differentiation.

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