Rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus and the mecA gene from BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles by using the LightCycler system

J Clin Microbiol. 2002 Jul;40(7):2659-61. doi: 10.1128/JCM.40.7.2659-2661.2002.

Abstract

One hundred BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles growing gram-positive cocci in clusters were cultured and studied by LightCycler PCR for the sa442 and mecA genes. PCR was 100% sensitive and specific for detecting Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistance in S. aureus but was less accurate for methicillin resistance in coagulase-negative staphylococci.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteremia / diagnosis
  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods
  • Bacteriological Techniques / statistics & numerical data
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Hexosyltransferases*
  • Humans
  • Methicillin Resistance / genetics
  • Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase / genetics*
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins
  • Peptidyl Transferases*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / statistics & numerical data
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA Primers
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins
  • Peptidyl Transferases
  • Hexosyltransferases
  • Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase