Polymerase chain reaction identification of Vibrio vulnificus in artificially contaminated oysters.

DNAs extracted from Vibrio vulnificus seeded into oyster homogenates were evaluated as templates for the polymerase chain reaction. Several extraction procedures were examined, and it was determined that DNA recovered from cells lysed by guanidine isothiocyanate, extracted with chloroform, and precipitated with ethanol was most suitable for use as a polymerase chain reaction template. The region targeted was a 519-bp portion of the cytotoxin-hemolysin gene of V. vulnificus. This region was amplified only when DNA from this species was present in the homogenate. V. vulnificus seeded into oyster homogenates at an initial level of 10(2) CFU/g of oyster meat was consistently observed after 24 h of incubation in alkaline peptone water.