Rapid assay for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using multiplex PCR.
The presence or absence of the mecA gene, the determinant of resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics, was examined in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR). Two pairs of primers were used, which yielded two specific products; a 280-bp nuc- based PCR fragment (amplification product of the nuc gene encoding specific Staphylococcus aureus nuclease) and a 533-bp mecA-based PCR fragment (amplification product of the mecA gene). The MPCR system was designed to be incorporated into the work flow in clinical diagnostic laboratories as a routine analysis.
Barski
P
P
Department of Microbiology, Technical University of Gdańsk, Poland.
Piechowicz
L
L
Galiński
J
J
Kur
J
J
D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification