Development and Application of a GeXP-multiplex PCR Assay for Detection of Seven Foodborne Pathogenic Bacterias

This experiment was developed to simultaneously detect the seven common foodborne pathogenic bacterias include E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, V. cholera, L. monocytogenes, C. jejuni, V. Parahemolyticus and S. aureus. Seven pairs of specific primers were designed according to the conserved sequences of the genes from each pathogen available in the GenBank database. Single and mixed pathogen DNA templates were used to evaluate the specificity of the GeXP-multiplex assay. Control group was set up, recombinant plasmids were constructed, and samples of different DNA concentrations were randomly combined to verify the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and anti-interference of the established GeXP method. To certify the accuracy and reliability of the GeXP assay, it was evaluated using 120 clinical specimens that were compared with the single PCR. The obtained results showed that the corresponding specific fragments of genes were amplified by the single and the multiplex GeXP PCR assay. The detection limit of GeXP was 10³ copies·μL^-1 when all of seven bacterial pathogens were detected. The results of the interference assay showed the presence of specific amplification peaks when different templates. The detection rate of the GeXP multiplex PCR method was 2.50% (3/120)-15.83% (19/120) while the conventional PCR was 2.50% (3/120)-15.00% (18/120), and GeXP multiple PCR detected 8 more positive cases, which means that, the GeXP was more sensitive and accurate in the detection of the clinical samples. In conclusion, this GeXP-based multiplex PCR is a high-throughput, specific and sensitive test to detect seven common foodborne pathogenic bacterias. This assay provides a method in rapid molecular diagnosis for mix clinical seven common foodborne pathogenic bacterias.