Specific identification of Gallibacterium by a PCR using primers targeting the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes

Gallibacterium was recently established as a new genus including organisms previously reported as Pasteurella anatis, [Actinobacillus] salpingitidis and avian Pasteurella haemolytica-like organisms. The aim of the present study was to develop a PCR method allowing unambiguous identification of Gallibacterium. PCR primers positioned in the 16S rRNA (1133fgal) and 23S rRNA (114r) genes were defined and their specificity was subsequently tested on 122 strains. Twenty-five of the strains represented all of the presently available 15 phenotypic variants of Gallibacterium from different geographical locations, 22 other strains represented other poultry associated bacterial species or bacteria which could pose a differential diagnostic problem including members of the families Pasteurellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Flavobacteriaceae, and finally 75 Gallibacterium field strains isolated from Mexican chicken egg-layers. Specific amplicons were generated in all 100 Gallibacterium strains tested, whereas none of the non-Gallibacterium strains tested positive. Correct identification was confirmed by hybridization with the Gallibacterium specific probe GAN850. Two internal amplification control strategies were successfully incorporated into the PCR assay, one based on amplification of the house-keeping gene rpoB (sharing target DNA) and another based on addition of trout DNA (foreign target DNA) and amplification with beta-actin specific primers. In conclusion, the described PCR assay enables specific identification of Gallibacterium and will thus stand as a strong alternative to the present diagnostic methods.