A multiplex MPN-PCR method was optimized and validated for the screening of three most virulent Vibrios in the laboratory. Incorporation of MPN techniques with multiplex PCR assay is an advantage because it allows quantitative detection of multiple species in a single assay platform.
Bonny, S. Q., Hossain, M. M., Lin, T. K., & Ali, M. E. (2018). Multiplex MPN-PCR for the enumeration of three major Vibrios in raw fishes in Malaysia. Food Control, 90, 459-465.
2. Fish & fish products are the 2nd most important Protein source.
BBC: Global fish consumption per
capita has made a record in 2016 .
3. • Vibrio is a gram negative, rod-
shaped bacteria
• Responsible for an estimated
80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths
in the United States every year.
V. parahaemolyticus
V. cholerae
V. vulnificus
4. Advantage and Limitations of Current Methods
Conventional
Method
MPN (Most Probable
Number)
Method
PCR Multiplex PCR Simplex MPN-
PCR
Reverse
Transcriptase-
qPCR
• Generally
recognized as the
classical method
(Biochemical and
serological tests).
• Sensitive
• Can quantify
• Can detect the
presence of Live
bacteria
• Fast and
robust
method
• Reduced cost
and time
since many
species can
be detected
in a single
assay
• Capable of
quantifying
• Can specify
the presence
of live bacteria
• Highly Sensitive
• Capable of
quantifying
• Can detect the
live bacteria
• Laborious, time-
consuming, and
complex process.
• The specificity of
using selective
media is still
questionable.
• Laborious, time-
consuming, and
complex process.
• The specificity of
using selective
media is still
questionable.
• Cannot
quantify
• Cannot
differentiate
between the
presence of
live and dead
bacteria
• Cannot
quantify
• Cannot
differentiate
between the
presence of
live or dead
bacteria
• Cannot detect
more than one
species in a
single assay
platform
• RNA is less stable
in compare to
DNA
• Cannot be used
in small-scale
laboratory
5. The developed Method
MPN Assay
• Sensitive
• Can Quantify
• Can detect the
presence of life
bacteria
Multiplex MPN-PCR
• Highly Sensitive
• Capable of
Quantifying
• Can specify the
presence of live
bacteria
• Capable of detecting
more than one species
in a single platform
Multiplex PCR
• Reduce cost and
time in compare t
Simplex PCR since
many species can
be detected in
single assay
7. Work Flow
IAC (Internal Amplification Control) was used in PCR
DNA was extracted using boil cell method
Multiplex PCR were optimize
Reference strains of V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae & V. vulnificus were used
Primers targeting pnt A gene for both V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae and vvh A
gene for V. vulnificus were used
8. 1 ml of food homogenate (1.5 ml Microcentrifuge Tube)
Discard Supernatant
Centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 3 min
Re-suspend the Pellet in 100 µl of 1X PBS buffer, pH: 7.4
Centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 2 min
Discard Supernatant
Re-suspend the Pellet in 100 µl of sterile distilled water
Boiled for 5 min
Snapped cooled in ice for 10 min
Centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 3 min
Collect Supernatant (80 µl)
Stored at -20°C until further use
Repeatedtwice
DNA Extraction Method (Boil Cell)
9. Raw Fish (N=120)
Pre-enrichment (37℃ for 6 h)
7 times 10-fold dilution in SPB*
Enrichment (37℃ for 14-16h)
DNA Extraction
MPN Analysis
Multiplex PCR
Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) + 3% Nacl
Simplex PCR
DNA Extraction
Multiplex PCR
11. Work Flow
50 bp
200 bp
150 bp
100 bp
400 bp
300 bp
250 bp
650 bp
800 bp
500 bp
V. Cholerae (338 bp)
V. Vulnificus (205 bp).
IAC (187 bp)
V. Parahaemolyticus (409 bp)
Multiplex-PCR for V. parahaemolyticus (409 bp) ,V.cholerae (338 bp), and V. vulnificus (205 bp). The pntA gene was targeted for V.cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus,
whereas vvhA gene was targeted for V. vulnificus. Shown are: Lane 1: Negative control; Lane 2: IAC (Internal Amplification Control); Lane 3: V.vulnificus & IAC; Lane 4:
V. cholerae & IAC; Lane 5: V. parahaemolyticus & IAC; Lane 6: V. cholera , V. parahaemolyticus & IAC. Lane 7: Optimized tetraplex PCR with three vibrio and IAC; Lane
8: 50-bp DNA ladder.
1 52 43 876
13. Comparison of the presence of three major Vibrios in raw fish using Multiplex PCR
Vs. Multiplex MPN-PCR
34.16%
18.33%
22.50%
48.33%
27%
32.50%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
V. parahaemolyticus V. cholerae V. vulnificus
PERCENTAGE
Multiplex PCR Vs. Multiplex MPN-PCR
Multiplex PCR Multiplex MPN-PCR
14. Sample
Number
Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Vibrio cholerae Vibrio vulnificus
Simplex PCR
Multiplex
PCR
Simplex PCR Multiplex PCR Simplex PCR
Multiplex
PCR
PCR
Positive
%
PCR
Positive
%
PCR
Positive
%
PCR
Positive
%
PCR
Positive
%
PCR
Positive
%
120 58 48 58 48 32 27 32 27 39 32 39 32
Comparison of the enumeration data of the Simplex & Multiplex MPN-PCR
To validate the Multiplex MPN-PCR in terms
of Simplex MPN-PCR method
16. Distribution of MPN-PCR values of Vibrios in Raw Fish
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
≤3 >3 to ≤1000 >1000 to ≤ 5000 >5000
Percentage
MPN-PCR Value (MPN/g)
VPS (%) VPM(%) VCS(%)
VCM(%) VVS(%) VVM(%)
17. Relative abundance of two or more bacteria
10.83333333
14.166666671.666666667
6.666666667
0
5
10
15
VP-VC
VP-VV
VC-VV
VP-VC-VV
Total Sample: 120 Raw Fish
18. Conclusion
A multiplex MPN-PCR method was optimized and validated for screening of
three most virulent Vibrios in the laboratory. Incorporation of MPN
techniques with multiplex PCR assay is an advantage because it allows
quantitative detection of multiple species in a single assay platform.
The occurrence of Vibrios in raw fish was determined by using three
methods including multiplex PCR, simplex MPN-PCR and multiplex MPN-
PCR. V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholera and V. vulnificus were observed in
43.33%, 27%, and 32.5% raw fish samples, respectively with both simplex
and multiplex MPN-PCR assay.
MPN-PCR could detect 9.17%, 8.67% and 10% more of V. parahaemolyticus,
V. cholera and V. vulnificus, respectively in the food samples as compared to
the lower percentages using the conventional multiplex PCR.