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Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: September 5, 2013
sesC as a genetic marker for easy identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis from other isolates
Ladan Khodaparast1, Laleh Khodaparast1, Lieve Van Mellaert2
1KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Herestraat 49, box 819, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Switch Laboratory, Herestraat 49, box 802, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the major concerns with respect to hospital-acquired infections. Therefore, a rapid and easy method to identify at species level S. epidermidis isolates out of a broad range of bacteria is necessary. Based on earlier studies, the sesC gene encoding a S. epidermidis surface protein revealed to be a highly conserved gene in this species. By means of an easy and inexpensive PCR assay, the presence of sesC was checked in 438 clinical staphylococcal isolates. Results showed that sesC is specifically present in all S. epidermidis. In conclusion, the sesC gene can be exploited as a genetic marker in order to distinguish S. epidermidis from other isolates.
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