Simultaneous Detection of Aeromonas salmonicida , Flavobacterium psychrophilum , and Yersinia ruckeri , Three Major Fish Pathogens, by Multiplex PCR

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Abstract
A multiplex PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA genes was developed for the simultaneous detection of three major fish pathogens, Aeromonas salmonicida , Flavobacterium psychrophilum , and Yersinia ruckeri . The assay proved to be specific and as sensitive as each single PCR assay, with detection limits in the range of 6, 0.6, and 27 CFU for A. salmonicida , F. psychrophilum , and Y. ruckeri , respectively. The assay was useful for the detection of the bacteria in artificially infected fish as well as in fish farm outbreaks. Results revealed that this multiplex PCR system permits a specific, sensitive, reproducible, and rapid method for the routine laboratory diagnosis of infections produced by these three bacteria.