Detection and identification of genotypes of Prototheca zopfii in clinical samples by quantitative PCR analysis

In this study, a specific quantitative PCR system for the detection and identification of Prototheca zopfii genotypes was developed using a TaqMan(®) MGB probe and ResoLight dye. The P. zopfii-specific primers 18PZF1 and 18PZR1 were generated on the basis of the alignment of the small subunit ribosomal DNA domain base sequences of the genera Chlorella and Prototheca obtained from DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank, and the TaqMan(®) MGB probe PZP1 was designed corresponding to this amplification region. Analysis of the melting curves of the amplicons using ResoLight dye was able to differentiate between P. zopfii genotypes 1 and 2. The specificity of this detection system was examined using strains from a culture collection (28 strains) and clinical isolates (140 strains). The TaqMan(®) MGB probe amplicon was detected only in reference strains of P. zopfii (n = 12) and clinical isolates (n = 135). Ninety-two clinical specimens from cows with mastitis (36 samples) and healthy controls (56 samples) were also tested. All isolates from milk samples (n = 92) and clinical isolates (n = 135) were identified as P. zopfii genotype 2.