Simultaneous PCR detection of ica cluster and methicillin and mupirocin resistance genes in catheter-isolated Staphylococcus

Authors

  • Juana V. Martín-López Molecular Biology Laboratory, Research Unit, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; and Cell Biology and Microbiology Department, University of La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
  • Oscar Díez-Gil Microbiology Service, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
  • Manuel Morales Oncology Unit, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
  • Ninivé Batista Microbiology Service, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
  • Jesús Villar Molecular Biology Laboratory, Research Unit, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
  • Félix Claverie-Martín Molecular Biology Laboratory, Research Unit, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
  • Sebastián Méndez-Álvarez Molecular Biology Laboratory, Research Unit, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; and Cell Biology and Microbiology Department, University of La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Keywords:

Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, intercellular adhesion gene cluster, antibiotic resistance, multiplex PCR

Abstract

Recent data show that more than 50% of catheter-associated bloodstream infections are caused by staphylococci. Staphylococcal infections produced by intercellular-adhesion cluster (ica) carriers can be even more problematic due to the presence of methicillin and mupirocin resistance genes. In the present study, a multiplex PCR protocol that allows the simultaneous identification of staphylococci and detection of both the ica and methicillin and/or mupirocin resistance genes was developed. Furthermore, the method allows differential detection of the ica locus from Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. [Int Microbiol 2004; 7(1):63–66]

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Published

2010-03-03

Issue

Section

Research Notes