Detection of Staphylococcus lugdunensis by a new species-specific PCR based on the fbl gene.
Staphylococcus lugdunensis are unusually virulent coagulase-negative staphylococci associated with skin infections and endocarditis. We developed an accurate and simple PCR assay to identify S. lugdunensis isolates based on detection of the fbl gene, which encodes a fibrinogen-binding protein involved in pathogen adhesion. The PCR assay was established using 16 reference strains of different Staphylococcus species and further validated with a collection of 63 clinical staphylococcal isolates that were also phenotypically characterized. Reliable results for the detection of S. lugdunensis isolates were obtained for 100% of the strains evaluated, indicating that this PCR assay can be used in the routine of microbiology laboratories as one more tool for correct species differentiation.
Pereira
Eliezer M
EM
Department of Medical Microbiology, Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Oliveira
Fred L F
FL
Schuenck
Ricardo P
RP
Zoletti
Gustavo O
GO
Dos Santos
Kátia R N
KR
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial