Current tools for environmental assessment of fish pathogens have low sensitivity and require involved protocols. In the case of Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs), the pathogen responsible for causing bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in salmonids, methods for its detection (ELISA, FAT and PCR) have focused primarily on tissues such as kidney or ovarian fluid, thus requiring that fish be sacrificed. Attempts to use ELISA or PCR to detect Rs in water samples have not been successful. In this study we report ongoing efforts to develop a sensor for detection of Rs in water based on DNA aptamers that show high binding affinity to p57 or Major Soluble Antigen (MSA), the principal antigenic protein found on the bacterium cell surface. Aptamers are currently being identified through SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential amplification) and will eventually be immobilized to gold nanoparticles to construct a colorimetric sensor.

Towards the development of a DNA aptamer sensor for bacterial detection

245th National Meeting (2013)

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