Screening of vibro SPP from riverine environments using multiplex PCR

Monthly screening for the presence of Vibrio spp. from environmental sources in Kuching, Sarawak was done using the polymerase chain reaction (peR) technique. Nineteen samples were collected from different river sources each month during the six-month period (July-December, 2003). Multiplex peR was used for simultaneous detection of three major genus of Vibrio; Vibrio parahaemolylicus. Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnijicus in a single tube peR reaction. The three sets of primers II, ompWand vulCuisi were used to amplify fragments of 450 bp, 588 bp and 222 bp in sizes for each species respectively. This application was useful for the rapid detection of the Vibrio spp. from water sources. The results indicated that V parahaemolylicus was the dominant species occurring about 61% through out the sampling period, followed by V cholerae (23%) and V vulnijicus (16%). This study showed that Multiplex peR amplification was very specific, reduces labor and less time consuming and is useful for diagnostic laboratories to detect the presence of Vibrio spp. and also for epidemiological investigations