title: Detection of Bacteroides fragilis by PCR assay targeting the neuraminidase-encoding gene.
abstract: Oligonucleotide primers were designed on the basis of the sequence of the neuraminidase-encoding gene (nanH) of Bacteroides fragilis and used for the specific detection of this anaerobe by the nested PCR assay. Fifty-nine of 60 representative strains of Bact. fragilis were detected, while none of 45 strains of other species generated visible PCR products. The detection limits of Bact. fragilis cells and DNA by the nested PCR were 10 colony-forming units and 10 fg of chromosomal DNA, respectively. The PCR assay targeting the nanH gene has the potential for the detection of Bact. fragilis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuwahara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akimoto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ugai
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamogashira
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kinouchi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
mesh_terms: D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D009439:Neuraminidase