The detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in surface water by quantitative PCR amplification of the ail and yadA genes

摘要

Yersinia enterocolitica has been detected in surface water, and drinking untreated water is a risknfactor for infection. PCR-based methods have been used to detect Y. enterocolitica in variousnsample types, but quantitative studies have not been conducted in water. In this study,nquantitative PCR (qPCR)-based methods targeting the Yersinia virulence genes ail and yadA werenused to survey the Grand River watershed in southern Ontario, Canada. Initial testing of referencenstrains showed that ail and yadA PCR assays were specific for pathogenic biotypes ofnY. enterocolitica; however the genes were also detected in one clinical Yersinia intermedianisolate. A survey of surface water from the Grand River watershed showed that both genes werendetected at five sampling locations, with the ail and yadA genes detected in 38 and 21% ofnsamples, respectively. Both genes were detected more frequently at colder water temperatures.nA screening of Yersinia strains isolated from the watershed showed that the ail gene wasndetected in three Y. enterocolitica 1A/O:5 isolates. Results of this study show that Yersinianvirulence genes were commonly detected in a watershed used as a source of drinking water,nand that the occurrence of these genes was seasonal.