Development of a novel PCR assay specific for Riemerella anatipestifer

Aims: Riemerella anatipestifer is a significant pathogen of waterfowl and turkeys. Due to their similar ecology and morphological and cultural characteristics it is important to differentiate R. anatipestifer infections from those caused by Pasteurella multocida. Present study describes a novel PCR assay that is capable of rapid and species-specific identification of R. anatipestifer from bacterial cultures. Methods and Results: An ERIC (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus)-PCR fragment common to all tested isolates was used as a target for primer design. After optimization, the assay was tested on 72 R. anatipestifer strains isolated from clinical samples and identified using biochemical tests. All of these gave positive results, while heterologous pathogens, including different serotypes of P. multocida, proved to be negative. The assay was also capable of demonstrating R. anatipestifer directly from five clinical samples. Conclusions: The presented PCR is suitable for proper identification of R. anatipestifer from culture. Preliminary investigation showed that the test could be suitable for detection of the pathogen from clinical samples as well. Significance and Impact of the Study: The described PCR assay will improve the fast and proper identification of R. anatipestifer.