Multiplex PCR for detection of genes for Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins, exfoliative toxins, toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, and methicillin resistance

J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Mar;38(3):1032-5. doi: 10.1128/JCM.38.3.1032-1035.2000.

Abstract

A multiplex PCR assay for detection of genes for staphylococcal enterotoxins A to E (entA, entB, entC, entD, and entE), toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (tst), exfoliative toxins A and B (etaA and etaB), and intrinsic methicillin resistance (mecA) was developed. Detection of femA was used as an internal positive control. The multiplex PCR assay combined the primers for sea to see and femA in one set and those for eta, etb, tst, mecA, and femA in the other set. Validation of the assay was performed using 176 human isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. This assay offers a very specific, quick, reliable, and inexpensive alternative to conventional PCR assays used in clinical laboratories to identify various staphylococcal toxin genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Toxins*
  • Canada
  • Enterotoxins / genetics*
  • Exfoliatins / genetics
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Methicillin Resistance / genetics*
  • Nasal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Netherlands
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Staphylococcus aureus / classification
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Superantigens*

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • Exfoliatins
  • Superantigens
  • enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal