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.