PCT No. PCT / JP97 / 00991 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 6, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 6, 1999 PCT Filed Mar. 25, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 35970 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 2, 1997An
oligonucleotide is provided which has a
nucleotide sequence derived from SEQ ID NO:1, characterized in that it contains at least one site capable of amplifying a
nucleotide sequence characteristic of
Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The
oligonucleotide may have a
nucleotide sequence not derived from SEQ ID NO:3, or incapable of amplifying nucleotide sequences originating in
Vibrio alginolyticus and
Vibrio harveyi, and may be represented by SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:6. A method of detecting
Vibrio parahaemolyticus in a specimen is also provided which comprises preparing a primer set comprising two of the above oligonucleotides, selectively amplifying therewith
a DNA gyrase
subunit B
gene sequence contained in the specimen as a target, and determining whether or not there is a gyrB unit specific for
Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the specimen. Also provided is a primer which reacts specifically with a
gyrB gene of
Vibrio parahaemolyticus to thereby differentiate and identify the same among other Vibrios and strains other than the
genus Vibrio. The Vibrio parahaemolyticus-specific primer serves to detect 285-bp
gyrB gene fragments specific for this Vibrio by the
PCR method without the necessity for
DNA extraction or like operations from bacterial cells.