Actinobaculum suisDetection Using Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract

Actinobaculum suisis an important agent related to urinary infection in swine females. Due to its fastidious growth characteristics, the isolation of this anaerobic bacterium is difficult, thus impairing the estimation of its prevalence. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and identification ofA. suisand then compare these results with traditional isolation methods. Bacterial isolation and PCR were performed on one hundred and ninety-two urine samples from sows and forty-five preputial swabs from boars. The results indicate that this PCR was specific forA. suis, presenting a detection limit between1.0×101 CFU/mL and1.0×102 CFU/mL.A. suisfrequencies, as measured by PCR, were 8.9% (17/192) in sow urine samples and 82.2% (37/45) in preputial swabs. Assessed using conventional culturing techniques, none of the urine samples were positive forA. suis; however,A. suiswas detected in 31.1% (14/45) of the swabs. This PCR technique was shown to be an efficient method for the detection ofA. suisin urine and preputial swabs.