title: Application of flow cytometry for the identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis by peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) in blood samples.
abstract: Staphylococcus epidermidis is considered to be one of the most common causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections, particularly in immune-compromised individuals. Here, we report the development and application of a novel peptide nucleic acid probe for the specific detection of S. epidermidis by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The theoretical estimates of probe matching specificity and sensitivity were 89 and 87%, respectively. More importantly, the probe was shown not to hybridize with closely related species such as Staphylococcus aureus. The method was subsequently successfully adapted for the detection of S. epidermidis in mixed-species blood cultures both by microscopy and flow cytometry.
authors.affiliation: IBB, Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal. nazevedo@fe.up.pt
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jardim
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Keevil
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Vieira
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids / Q000235:genetics*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids