DNA fingerprinting of Flavobacterium columnare using RAPD-PCR.

In the present study, DNA fingerprinting of eight strains of Flavobacterium columnare was done by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting method. The strains were collected from Fish Health Management Division, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, India. A total number of 160 primers were screened for RAPD-PCR, of which 10 primers yielded amplification with all the strains. The molecular weight of amplified bands varied from 0.29-2.63 Kb. The number of bands varied from 1 to 8. Unique band was seen with primer OPY-15 with molecular weight 0.75 Kb that can be used for epidemiological study. Genetic variability was investigated using NTSYS software. Highest genetic similarity was found between MS1 and MS3 followed by MS5 and MS7. Minimum genetic similarity was found between MS2 and MS8. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using UPGMA and neighbor joining methods.