Detection of <i style="">Pasteurella multocida</i> in experimentally infected embryonated chicken eggs by PCR assay

Abstract

Applicability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect <i style="">Pasteurella multocida</i> in experimentally infected embryonated chicken egg was assessed in the present study. PCR assay rapidly and specifically detected the genome of <i style="">P. multocida</i> in amniotic fluid, allantoic fluid and homogenates of infected embryo and its membranes. The sensitivity of detection was as low as 20 bacterial cells/ml of allantoic or amniotic fluids. Detection of <i style="">P. multocida</i> in dead embryos by PCR was possible up to 6 and 30 days or more following storage of dead embryos at 37^oC, and at 4^oC as well as at -20^oC, respectively. The study revealed that PCR assays could be employed directly for detection and confirmation of <i style="">P. multocida</i> infection in experimentally infected chicken embryos.