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DNA-based methods are increasingly important for bacterial typing. The high number of polymorphic sites present among closely related bacterial genomes is the basis for the presented method. The method identifies multilocus genomic polymorphisms in intergenic regions termed AILP (amplified intergenic locus polymorphism). For each locus, a pair of unique PCR primers was designed to amplify an intergenic sequence from one open reading frame (ORF) to the adjacent ORF. Presence, absence, and size variation of the amplification products were identified and used as genetic markers for rapidly differentiating among strains. Polymorphism was evaluated using 18 AILP sites among 28 strains of Listeria monocytogenes and 6 strains of Listeria spp. and 30 AILP markers among 27 strains of Escherichia coli. Up to four alleles per locus were identified among Listeria strains, and up to six were identified among E. coli strains. In both species, more than half of the AILP sites revealed intraspecies polymorphism. The AILP data were applied to phylogenetic analysis among Listeria and E. coli strains. A clear distinction between L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. was demonstrated. In addition, the method separated L. monocytogenes into the three known lineages and discriminated the most common virulent serotypic group, 4b. In E. coli, AILP analysis separated the known groups as well as the virulent O157:H7 isolates. These findings for both Listeria and E. coli are in agreement with other phylogenetic studies using molecular markers. The AILP method was found to be rapid, simple, reproducible, and a low-cost method for initial bacterial typing that could serve as a basis for epidemiological investigation.

The genus Listeria comprises six closely related species, of which only Listeria monocytogenes is a human pathogen. The rapid and sensitive detection of L. monocytogenes is important in the food industry as well as in medical diagnosis. In this study, a PCR-based method for the rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of L. monocytogenes in food products was developed. The PCR is based on DNA sequences and primer pairs that are found within the 16S subunit of the rRNA gene and are specific to the Listeria genus and to L. monocytogenes within the Listeria genus. The primers for the Listeria genus and for L. monocytogenes were used in the same reaction mix for their simultaneous detection. In addition, a pair of bacterial primers universal to any bacterial DNA at the 16S subunit of the rRNA gene were developed as a positive control. For the detection of Listeria and L. monocytogenes in food products, the method includes selective enrichment for Listeria followed by DNA extraction and a specific PCR reaction. The method detects 1 to 5 CFU in a 25-g sample in < or = 24 h. It can be easily incorporated into the routine screening of diverse food products and readily adapted for clinical use.

Alternaria sp. are important fungal contaminants of grain products; they secrete four structural classes of compounds that are toxic or carcinogenic to plants and animals and cause considerable economic losses to growers and the food-processing industry. Alternaria toxins have been detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and other techniques. Here, we report the development of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for the detection of Alternaria DNA. PCR primers were designed to anneal to the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the 5.8S rDNA gene of Alternaria alternata or Alternaria solani but not to other microbial or plant DNA. We compared the sensitivity of PCR in detecting Alternaria DNA, that of the HPLC method in detecting Alternaria alternariol and alternariol methyl ether toxins, and that of the morphological examination of mycelia and conidia in experimentally infested corn samples. The sensitivity of toxin detection for HPLC was above the level of contamination in a set of commercially obtained grain samples, resulting in negative scores for all samples, while the PCR-based method and mold growth plating followed by morphological identification of Alternaria gave parallel, positive results for 8 of 10 samples. The PCR assay required just 8 h, enabling the rapid and simultaneous testing of many samples at a low cost. PCR-based evidence for the presence of Alternaria DNA followed by positive assay results for Alternaria toxins would support the rejection of a shipment of grain.

Analysis of haplotypes is an important tool in population genetics, familial heredity and gene mapping. Determination of haplotypes of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or other simple mutations is time consuming and expensive when analyzing large populations, and often requires the help of computational and statistical procedures. Based on double PCR amplification of specific alleles, described previously, we have developed a simple, rapid and low-cost method for direct haplotyping of multiple SNPs and simple mutations found within relatively short specific regions or genes (micro-haplotypes). Using this method, it is possible to directly determine the physical linkage of multiple heterozygous alleles, by conducting a series of double allele-specific PCR amplification sets with simple analysis by gel electrophoresis. Application of the method requires prior information as to the sequence of the segment to be haplotyped, including the polymorphic sites. We applied the method to haplotyping of nine sites in the chicken HSP108 gene. One of the haplotypes in the population apparently arose by recombination between two existing haplotypes, and we were able to locate the point of recombination within a segment of 19 bp. We anticipate rapidly growing needs for SNP haplotyping in human (medical and pharmacogenetics), animal and plant genetics; in this context, the multiple double PCR amplifications of specific alleles (MD-PASA) method offers a useful haplotyping tool.

Alternaria sp. are important fungal contaminants of vegetable, fruit, and grain products, including Alternaria alternata, a contaminant of tomato products. To date, the Howard method, based on microscopic observation of fungal filaments, has been the standard examination for inspection of tomato products. We report development of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for detection of Alternaria DNA. PCR primers were designed to anneal to the internal transcribed regions ITS1 and ITS2 of the 5.8S rRNA gene of Alternaria but not to other microbial or tomato DNA. We demonstrate use of the PCR assay to detect Alternaria DNA in experimentally infested and commercially obtained tomato sauce and tomato powder. Use of the PCR method offers a rapid and sensitive assay for the presence of Alternaria DNA in tomato products. The apparent breakdown of DNA in tomato sauce may limit the utility of the assay to freshly prepared products. The assay for tomato powder is not affected by storage time.