Evaluation and improvement of a single nucleotide polymorphism-based PCR assay for rapid differentiation of live attenuated vaccine strains from field isolates of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

A single nucleotide polymorphism-based PCR assay has been developed to differentiate the attenuated vaccine strain used in Japan from field isolates of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae found in pigs. However, this assay has been evaluated with only Japanese strains and isolates; therefore, it is unknown whether it could be used in other countries with E. rhusiopathiae strains and isolates of different genetic backgrounds. In our study, the PCR assay was evaluated using Chinese E. rhusiopathiae vaccine strains and field isolates. The PCR assay was able to differentiate the attenuated vaccine strains from the field isolates of E. rhusiopathiae in China but with a pattern different from that observed in Japan (only a single nucleotide polymorphism was detected in the Chinese vaccine strains compared with 5 in the Japanese vaccine strains). Importantly, either a DNA polymerase without 3' to 5' exonuclease activity or an exo(+) polymerase with an antibody inhibiting the proofreading activity was required. In conclusion, after evaluation and improvement, this fast differentiation assay can be extended from Japan to China.