pilF polymorphism-based PCR to distinguish Vibrio vulnificus strains potentially dangerous to public health

Vibrio vulnificus is a heterogeneous species that comprises virulent and avirulent strains for human and fish, grouped into three biotypes. In this report we describe a PCR-based methodology that allows both species identification and discrimination of those isolates that could be considered dangerous to public health. Discrimination is based on the amplification of a variable region located within the gene pilF, which seems to be associated with potential human pathogenicity, regardless of the biotype of the strain