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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Development of a single-reaction multiplex PCR toxin typing assay for Staphylococcus aureus strains
N K Sharma1, C E Rees, C E Dodd
1Division of Food Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|April 1, 2000
Summary
A new multiplex PCR assay detects Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin genes A-E rapidly. This method shows high correlation with traditional tests and can be expanded for novel toxin genes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Food Safety
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus produces enterotoxins causing foodborne illnesses.
- Accurate and rapid detection of these toxin genes is crucial for public health.
- Existing methods for toxin gene detection can be time-consuming and complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, single-reaction multiplex PCR assay for detecting Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin genes.
- To combine PCR with an efficient DNA purification method for faster results.
- To validate the assay's performance against established immunological methods.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multiplex PCR assay using universal and specific primers.
- Incorporation of a novel DNA purification technique.
- Testing the assay on environmental Staphylococcus aureus isolates.
Main Results:
- The assay successfully detected enterotoxin genes A to E within 3 to 4 hours.
- A 99% correlation was observed between the PCR assay and standard immunological toxin typing.
- The assay demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity for Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin genes.
Conclusions:
- The developed multiplex PCR assay offers a rapid and reliable method for detecting Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin genes.
- This assay can be readily adapted to include newly identified or unknown toxin genes, enhancing its utility.
- The assay has significant potential for application in food safety and clinical diagnostics.
