Development of a rapid detection method to detect tdh gene in Vibrio parahaemolyticus using 2-step ultrarapid real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Thermostable direct hemolysin encoded by tdh gene has been considered an important virulence factor in pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Two-step ultrarapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (URRT PCR) with a microchip was devised to detect V. parahaemolyticus carrying tdh gene. This novel method has a 6-μL reaction volume and extremely reduces running time since one cycle can be completed in 10 s or less. Consequently, 35 cycles of URRT PCR was successfully able to detect up to 100 fg (18 copies) of genomic DNA from pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus carrying tdh gene in 6 min. These results indicate that this method is at present the most rapid detection method for tdh gene and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus.