title: The development and assessment of DNA and oligonucleotide probes for the specific detection of Bacillus anthracis.
abstract: Two DNA probes and a number of oligonucleotide probes were designed from the virulence factor genes of Bacillus anthracis. These probes were tested for specificity against 52 B. anthracis strains and 233 Bacillus strains encompassing 23 other species. A rapid slot blotting technique was used for screening the large numbers of isolates involved. All probes tested appeared to be specific for B. anthracis under high stringency conditions. These probes could differentiate between virulent and avirulent strains. The probes were also applied to the detection of B. anthracis in routine environmental and clinical samples. A non-radioactive hybridization and detection system based on digoxigenin-11-dUTP was developed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biologics, PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hutson
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Duggleby
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Manchee
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Turnbull
mesh_terms: D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001483:Base Sequence; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003856:Deoxyuracil Nucleotides; D004076:Digoxigenin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003856:Deoxyuracil Nucleotides; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; C070202:digoxigenin-11-deoxyuridine triphosphate; D004076:Digoxigenin