Development of a multiplex PCR detection of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. in musselsDevelopment of a multiplex PCR detection of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. in mussels Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-032000enMultiplex PCR amplification of invA and virA genes was developed enabling simultaneous detection in mussels of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp., respectively. Simultaneous amplification of products of 215 and 275 bp was obtained either by using mixtures of individual strains of Sh. dysenteriae and Salm. typhimurium or spiked contaminated mussels with both bacteria. In the case of the mussels, 10-100 cells of Salmonella spp. and Shigella per millilitre of homogenate were detected by the multiplex PCR following a pre-enrichment step to increase sensitivity and to ensure that detection was based on the presence of cultivable bacteria. Also, the sensitivity and specificity of this method was evaluated. Multiplex PCR amplification was shown to be an effective, sensitive and rapid method for the simultaneous detection of pathogens in mussels.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Letters in Applied Microbiology312105-109 Vantarakis, Apostolos Komninou, Georgia Venieri Danai Βενιερη Δαναη Papapetropoulou Maria The Society for Applied Microbiology PCR