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Identification of Lactococcus garvieae by PCR
A Zlotkin1, A Eldar, C Ghittino
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|May 23, 1998
Summary
A new PCR assay accurately identifies Lactococcus garvieae, an emerging zoonotic bacterium, differentiating it from similar species like Lactococcus lactis. This molecular test is crucial for diagnosing infections in fish, cattle, and humans.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Lactococcus garvieae (Enterococcus seriolicida) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen affecting fish, cattle, and humans.
- Distinguishing L. garvieae from the similar Lactococcus lactis is challenging, with clindamycin susceptibility being the only current phenotypic differentiator.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a specific and sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay for the identification of Lactococcus garvieae.
- To provide a reliable molecular method for differentiating L. garvieae from L. lactis and other fish pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Development of a PCR assay targeting L. garvieae, resulting in a 1,100 bp amplified fragment.
- Testing the PCR assay's specificity against L. garvieae strains from diverse geographic origins (Asia, Australia, Europe), L. lactis, Streptococcus iniae, and Aeromonas salmonicida.
- Assessing the assay's sensitivity by applying it to plasma from diseased animals.
Main Results:
- The PCR assay demonstrated high specificity, exclusively amplifying DNA from L. garvieae strains.
- The assay correctly identified all tested L. garvieae isolates and was negative for L. lactis and other tested fish pathogens.
- The PCR assay proved sensitive, detecting L. garvieae in as little as 1 microliter of plasma.
Conclusions:
- The developed PCR assay is a specific and practical tool for identifying the zoonotic agent Lactococcus garvieae.
- This molecular method offers a reliable alternative to clindamycin susceptibility testing for differentiating L. garvieae from L. lactis.