Differential diagnosis of Brucella abortus by real-time PCR based on a single-nucleotide polymorphisms

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 78; no. 4; pp. 557 - 562
• Main Authors: KIM, Ji-Yeon, KANG, Sung-Il, LEE, Jin Ju, LEE, Kichan, SUNG, So-Ra, ERDENEBAATAAR, Janchivdorj, VANAABAATAR, Batbaatar, JUNG, Suk Chan, PARK, Yong Ho, YOO, Han-Sang, HER, Moon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.01.2016; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Animals; Brucella - genetics; Brucella abortus; Brucella abortus - genetics; Brucellosis, Bovine - diagnosis; Cattle; Diagnosis, Differential; fbaA gene; Genes, Bacterial; hybprobe; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Public Health; real-time PCR; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Sensitivity and Specificity; SNP; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.15-0541

To diagnose brucellosis effectively, many genus- and species-specific detection methods based on PCR have been developed. With conventional PCR assays, real-time PCR techniques have been developed as rapid diagnostic tools. Among them, real-time PCR using hybridization probe (hybprobe) has been recommended for bacteria with high DNA homology among species, with which it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis by means of an amplification curve and melting peak analysis. A hybprobe for B. abortus was designed from a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the fbaA gene. This probe only showed specific amplification of B. abortus from approximately the 14th cycle, given a melting peak at 69°C. The sensitivity of real-time PCR was revealed to be 20 fg/µl by 10-fold DNA dilution, and the detection limit was 4 CFU in clinical samples. This real-time PCR showed greater sensitivity than that of conventional PCR and previous real-time PCR based on Taqman probe. Therefore, this new real-time PCR assay could be helpful for differentiating B. abortus infection with rapidity and accuracy.