Rapid detection of virulence-associated genes in environmental strains of Vibrio cholerae by multiplex PCR.

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera is ubiquitously distributed in aquatic environment particularly in coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers. In the present investigation, a multiplex PCR assay was developed for the detection of virulence-associated genes (rtxA, tcpA, ctxA, hlyA, and sto) in environmental isolates of V. cholerae. A total of 90 strains isolated from different environmental sources were screened for the presence of virulence-associated genes. Our results showed that this method represents a simple, cost effective, and robust tool for rapid detection of virulence-associated genes. This multiplex PCR can be used for examining prevalence of virulence-associated genes and hence will be useful for better understanding of epidemiology of environmental V. cholerae.