Objective To clarify the virulence gene profiles and molecular typing of Streptococcus iniae from sturgeon in Sichuan, and provide a reference for prevention and control of S. iniae infection in sturgeon.
Method Virulence genes of 17 S. iniae strains isolated from sturgeon in Sichuan area and S. iniae ATCC29178 were detected by multi-PCR. Molecular typing of S. iniae was performed using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and repetitive element polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR) methods.
Result All seven major virulence genes includingpgm , scpI , simA , cpsD ,sagA ,pdi and cfi were positive in all strains, and simA gene of partial isolates was mutated. Eighteen strains were divided intoⅠandⅡ types based on RAPD analysis, and four types of A, B, C and D by REP-PCR analysis.
Conclusion All 17 S. iniae isolates from sturgeon in Sichuan are virulent strains, and the virulence gene prolife is pgm/scpI/simA/cpsD/sagA/pdi/cfi. There are many genotypes of S. iniae in Sichuan, of which type D is the main epidemic type.