Detection of salmonella by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in fresh water mussel (Unio elongatulus eucirrus Bourguignat, 1860)

In this study, Salmonella were investigated in 627 fresh water mussels collected from two different regions of Keban Dam Lake by means of culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. From 19 (4.79%) out of 397 mussels collected in Koçkale Region, Salmonella were isolated and identified, but the agent was not detected in mussels obtained from Pertek region. Homogenates prepared from tissue of mussels, after pre-enrichment in Rappaport Vasilliadis, were inoculated onto Brilliant Green Phenol Red Lactose agar and Salmonella-Shigella selective mediums. Biochemical tests and DNA extraction were carried out Salmonella suspicious isolates. DNA extracted from these isolates were amplified by PCR using a pair of genus-specific primers derived from 16S rRNA gene of Salmonella. Analysis of PCR products on agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the Salmonella specific gene was present in all 1 9 isolates. Salmonella could not be isolated from 45 water samples with culture technique and PCR technique.The fact that, Salmonella causes important diseases in humans such as septicaemia, gastroenteritis, typhoid and paratyphoid, was taken into consideration, in the light of the data obtained in this study, fresh water mussels in Koçkale Region of Keban Dam Lake should not be consumed uncooked according to the water products law number 1380. Although Salmonella is not resisted to high temperature, their toxicity continues even mussels area cooked properly, so that they should be consumed carefully. Moreover, the use of these mussels as animal food will contribute significantly to the country's economy. In this study, it was demonstrated that PCR which has very wide application could also be used in the field of Aquaculture.KEY WORDS: Freshwater Mussel, Salmonella, Polymerase Chain Reaction