Multiplex PCR Assay for Identification of Erwinia Amylovora - The Causative Agent of Fire Blight

ABSTRACT

Seven Bulgarian strains of Erwinia amylovora isolated from chokeberry and strawberry, previously identified by single PCR amplification of a specific region of plasmid pEA29 and genome ams-region were subjected to multiplex PCR using two pairs of primers—pEA29A/pEA29B and AJ245/AJ246. These primers allowed the identification of the strains in one-step PCR simultaneously in two genetic loci. The conditions of the multiplex PCR were optimized, and any nonspecific reactions with other related, and non-related species were avoided. The multiplex PCR proposed is a not time-consuming and reliable method for rapid identification and discrimination of E. amylovora from the closed E. pyrifoliae species.