Confirmation of psaA in all 90 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae by PCR and potential of this assay for identification and diagnosis.
The gene encoding the pneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA) protein, psaA, was confirmed in all Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes by a newly developed PCR (psaA PCR) assay. Eighty-nine of the 90 serotypes amplified produced an 838-bp fragment; the exception was a serotype 16F strain acquired from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Analysis of 20 additional 16F strains from the United States and Brazil showed that the gene was amplified in all 16F strains, implying that the serotype 16F ATCC strain must be a variant. The specificity of the assay was verified by the lack of signal from analysis of heterologous bacterial species (n = 30) and genera (n = 14), including viridans group streptococci. The potential of the assay for clinical application was shown by its ability to detect pneumococci in culture-positive nasopharyngeal specimens. Demonstration of psaA in all 90 serotypes and lack of amplification of heterologous organisms suggest that this assay could be a useful tool for detection of pneumococci and diagnosis of disease.
Morrison
K E
KE
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Lake
D
D
Crook
J
J
Carlone
G M
GM
Ades
E
E
Facklam
R
R
Sampson
J S
JS
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics*
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; C085000:PsaA protein, Streptococcus