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Updated: Oct 7, 2026
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
A rapid molecular assay for the detection of antibiotic resistance determinants in causal agents of infective
J E Moore1, B C Millar, X Yongmin
1Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. jemoore@niphl.dnet.co.uk
Aims:
To develop and employ a PCR amplification system, directly from clinical specimens, for the rapid molecular detection of common antimicrobial resistance genes for streptococci, staphylococci and enterococci organisms causing infective endocarditis (IE).
Methods And Results:
Eleven antibiotic resistance genes were targeted by PCR along with four identification-related loci. Blood culture and heart valve material from staphylococcal endocarditis patients were directly examined for methicillin resistance. PCR conditions were optimized for the following antibiotic resistance loci: staphylococci (mecA, aacA-aphD), streptococci (PBP 1A, PBP 2B, gyrB, parE) and enterococci (vanA, vanB, vanC-1, vanC-2, aacA-aphD, aphA3). The presence of methicillin resistance was confirmed in one of the eight IE patients examined.
Conclusion:
This study presents a PCR amplification system for the detection of antibiotic resistance genes. Detection of such genes may indicate susceptibility of the causal agents of IE to commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
Rapid detection of antibiotic resistant organisms may reduce the use of inappropriate antibiotic agents or enable the use of the most appropriate combinations of antibiotics, other than those that would normally be prescribed empirically for IE. Such a method may be particularly valuable in cases of culture-negative endocarditis. Detection of antibiotic resistance genes by molecular-based techniques, namely PCR, will allow more directed antibiotic therapy and may also provide opportunities for earlier identification of resistant organisms.
Insights
This study developed a rapid PCR test to detect antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria causing infective endocarditis. This molecular detection aids in faster, targeted antibiotic therapy for patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection often caused by streptococci, staphylococci, and enterococci.
- Antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens complicates treatment and necessitates rapid diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification system for direct molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance genes.
- To target common resistance genes in bacteria responsible for IE from clinical samples.
Main Methods:
- Developed and optimized a PCR system targeting eleven antibiotic resistance genes and four identification loci.
- Applied the PCR system directly to clinical specimens, including blood cultures and heart valve material.
- Investigated methicillin resistance in staphylococcal endocarditis using the developed PCR.
Main Results:
- Successfully optimized PCR conditions for various antibiotic resistance loci in staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci.
- Confirmed the presence of methicillin resistance in one patient with staphylococcal IE.
- Identified specific resistance genes such as mecA, vanA, and others.
Conclusions:
- The developed PCR system enables rapid molecular detection of antibiotic resistance genes in IE pathogens.
- This method can guide more directed and appropriate antibiotic therapy, potentially improving patient outcomes.
- The technique is valuable for culture-negative endocarditis and early identification of resistant organisms.
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