Abstract: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) primers were designed to detect Edwardsiella ictaluri in tissue and water samples. Three pairs of primers were designed and tested against the E. ictaluri type strain (ATCC No. 33202). The primers for pEI1 and EIl6s were very sensitive for the detection of E. ictaluri in water and tissue samples of fish experimentally infected with different bacterial dilutions. The PCR conditions described were optimized to obtain results in 5 h. This PCR has the potential of detecting low levels of E. ictaluri in tissue and water samples allowing for the timely detection of enteric septcaemia of catfish in farms.