Application of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for simultaneous quantification of virulence genes in oysters.

Strains of diarrheagenic (DEC) are involved in foodborne disease outbreaks worldwide, especially the enterohemorrhagic O157:H7. This study describes two multiplex quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) assays for simultaneous identification and quantification of genes related to virulence of DEC; a triplex reaction for detection and quantification of , , and genes, and a duplex reaction for detection and quantification of and genes. The technique was applied in raw oyster samples for direct quantification of DEC, thereby evaluating the applicability of this methodology for microbiological quality assessment of food.