Rapid polymerase chain reaction method for detection of Kanagawa positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seafoods

Detection of Kanagawa positive strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was tested. Primer pairs for specific amplification of tdh gene fragment is described. The assay could detect contamination of seafood homogenate when PCR was performed using lysate prepared directly from fish homogenates. The sensitivity of the assay could be improved to detect less than 10 cells of V. parahaemolyticus by performing PCR after 8 h enrichment in alkaline peptone water.