End-point rapid detection of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus (tdh+ and/or trh1+ and/or trh2+) in raw seafood using a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification-xylenol orange technique

Background Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the leading cause of bacterial seafood-borne gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. To ensure seafood safety and to minimize the occurrence of seafood-borne diseases, early detection of total V. parahaemolyticus (pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains) and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus ( tdh + and/or trh1 + and/or trh2 + ) is required. This study further improved a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay using xylenol orange (XO), a pH sensitive dye, to transform conventional LAMP into a one-step colorimetric assay giving visible results to the naked eye. LAMP-XO targeted rpoD for species specificity and tdh, trh1 , and trh2 for pathogenic strains. Multiple hybrid inner primers (MHP) of LAMP primers for rpoD detection to complement the main primer set previously reported were designed by our group to maximize sensitivity and speed. Methods Following the standard LAMP protocol, LAMP reaction temperature for rpoD , tdh , trh1 , and trh2 detection was first determined using a turbidimeter. The acquired optimal temperature was subjected to optimize six parameters including dNTP mix, betaine, MgSO 4 , Bst 2.0 WarmStart DNA polymerase, reaction time and XO dye. The last parameter was done using a heat block. The color change of the LAMP-XO result from purple (negative) to yellow (positive) was monitored visually. The detection limits (DLs) of LAMP-XO using a 10-fold serial dilution of gDNA and spiked seafood samples were determined and compared with standard LAMP, PCR, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. Subsequently, the LAMP-XO assay was validated with 102 raw seafood samples and the results were compared with PCR and qPCR assays. Results Under optimal conditions (65 °C for 75 min), rpoD -LAMP-XO and tdh -LAMP-XO showed detection sensitivity at 10 2 copies of gDNA/reaction, or 10 folds greater than trh1 -LAMP-XO and trh2 -LAMP-XO. This level of sensitivity was similar to that of standard LAMP, comparable to that of the gold standard qPCR, and 10-100 times higher than that of PCR. In spiked samples, rpoD -LAMP-XO, tdh -LAMP-XO, and trh2 -LAMP-XO could detect V. parahaemolyticus at 1 CFU/2.5 g spiked shrimp. Of 102 seafood samples, LAMP-XO was significantly more sensitive than PCR ( P < 0.05) for tdh and trh2 detection and not significantly different from qPCR for all genes determined. The reliability of tdh -LAMP-XO and trh2 -LAMP-XO to detect pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus was at 94.4% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions To detect total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus , at least rpoD -LAMP-XO and trh2 -LAMP-XO should be used, as both showed 100% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. With short turnaround time, ease, and reliability, LAMP-XO serves as a better alternative to PCR and qPCR for routine detection of V. parahaemolyticus in seafood. The concept of using a one-step LAMP-XO and MHP-LAMP to enhance efficiency of diagnostic performance of LAMP-based assays can be generally applied for detecting any gene of interest.