Evaluation of 16S rDNA- and gyrB-DGGE for typing members of the genus Aeromonas

The DNA sequence of the gyrB gene is a suitable phylogenetic marker for bacterial systematics. In this study, the diversity of Aeromonas spp. present in environmental samples was assessed by a PCR combined with DGGE approach. PCR primers targeting the gyrB gene of aeromonads were designed and the resulting amplicons were analyzed by DGGE. The gyrB-DGGE analysis was evaluated with Aeromonas isolates and reference strains allowing discrimination of the majority of strains. The gyrB-DGGE analysis is a powerful tool to monitor the presence and evaluate the diversity of aeromonads in complex samples, as is the case of water from a wastewater treatment plant.