Aims: To develop an assay to simultaneously detect Lawsonia intracellularis, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira pilosicoli in pig faeces.
Methods and results: A multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) was designed to amplify a 655-base pair (bp) portion of the L. intracellularis 16S rRNA gene, a 354-bp portion of the B. hyodysenteriae NADH oxidase gene, and a 823-bp portion of the B. pilosicoli 16S rRNA gene. Specificity was assessed using 80 strains of Brachyspira spp. and 30 other enteric bacteria. Bacterial DNA was extracted from faeces using the QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit. The M-PCR was tested in parallel with culture and/or PCR on 192 faecal samples from eight piggeries. Faeces also were seeded with known cell concentrations of the three pathogenic species, and the limits of detection of the M-PCR tested. The M-PCR was specific, with limits of detection of 10(2)-10(3) cells of the respective species per gram of faeces.
Conclusions: The M-PCR is a rapid, sensitive and specific test for detecting three important enteric bacterial pathogens of pigs.
Significance and impact of the study: The availability of a new diagnostic M-PCR will allow rapid detection and control of three key porcine enteric pathogens.