US2004053320A1PendingUtilityA1

Hybridization probes derived from the spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes for the detection of non-viral microorganisms

Assignee: INNOGENETICS NVPriority: Apr 18, 1990Filed: Sep 25, 2003Published: Mar 18, 2004
Est. expiryApr 18, 2010(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
C12Q 1/6888C12Q 1/689
66
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Claims

Abstract

The invention relates to a probe consisting of at least about 15 nucleotides from the spacer region between rRNA genes of a non-viral organism, particularly prokaryotic organism and more particularly bacteria, and preferably from about 15 nucleotides to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer region and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides to be used for the detection of non-viral microorganisms.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . Probe consisting of at least about 15 nucleotides of the transcribed spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes of prokaryotic organisms, and more particularly bacteria, and preferably from about 15 nucleotides to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer refion and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides.  
     
     
         2 . Probe according to  claim 1 , for use in a hybridization assay, liable to be obtained in the process which comprises constructing an oligonucleotide that is sufficiently complementary to hybridize to a sequence of the spacer region between rRNA genes, particularly the spacer region between the 16S rRNA gene and the 23S rRNA gene, selected to be unique to non-viral organisms, particularly prokaryotic organisms, more particularly bacteria, sought to be detected, with said sequence of the spacer region between rRNA genes being selected 
 either by 
 comparing the nucleotide sequence of the spacer region between the rRNA genes of the sought organism with the nucleotide sequence of the spacer region between the rRNA genes of the closest neighbours,  
 selecting a sequence of at least 15 nucleotides, and preferably from about 15 to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer region, and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides of the spacer region between rRNA genes of the sought organism which presents at least one mismatch with the spacer region between the rRNA genes of at least one of the closest neighbours,  
   or by 
 deleting, in the spacer region between th rRNA genes of the organism to be sought, the tRNA genes and possibly the signal sequences, to obtain a shortened spacer region and  
 determining by trial and error a specific nucleotide sequence of at least about 15 nucleotides, and preferably from about 15 to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer region, and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides, from the shortened spacer region, said sequence being able to hybridize specifically with the nucleic acids (DNA and/or RNAS) of the sought organism.  
   
     
     
         3 . Probe according to anyone of claims  1  or  2 , containing 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following group of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:  
                           Group NGI1:             CGATGCGTCG TTATTCTACT TCGC   NGI1           GCGAAGTAGA ATAACGACGC ATCG   NGI1IC           GCGAAGUAGA AUAACGACGC AUCG   NGI1ICR           CGAUGCGUCG UUAUUCUACU UCGC   NGI1R           Group NGI2:     TTCGTTTACC TACCCGTTGA CTAAGTAAGC AAAC   NGI2           GTTTGCTTAC TTAGTCAACG GGTAGGTAAA CGAA   NGI2IC           GUUUGCUUAC UUAGUCAACG GGUAGGUAAA CGAA   NGI2ICR           UUGGUUUACC UACCCGUUGA CUAAGUAAGC AAAC   NGI2R           Group NMI1:     GGTCAAGTGT GACGTCGCCC TG   NMI1           CAGGGCGACG TCACACTTGA CC   NMI1IC           CAGGGCGACG UCACACUUGA CC   NMI1ICR           GGUCAAGUGU GACGUCGCCC UG   NMI1R           Group NMI2:     GTTCTTGGTC AAGTGTGACG TC   NMI2           GACGTCACAC TTGACCAAGA AC   NMI2IC           GACGUCACAC UUGACCAAGA AC   NMI2ICR           GUUCUUGGUC AAGUGUGACG UC   NMI2R           Group NMI3:     GCGTTCGTTA TAGCTATCTA CTGTGC   NMI3           GCACAGTAGA TAGCTATAAC GAACGC   NMI3IC           GCACAGUAGA UAGCUAUAAC GAACGC   NMI3ICR           GCGUUCGUUA UAGCUAUCUA CUGUGC   NMI3R           Group NMI4:     TGCGTTCGAT ATTGCTATCT ACTGTGCA   NMI4           TGCACAGTAG ATAGCAATAT CGAACGCA   NMI4IC           UGCACAGUAG AUAGCAAUAU CGAACGCA   NMI4ICR           UGCGUUCGAU AUUGCUAUCU ACUGUGCA   NMI4R           Group NMI5:               TTTTGTTCTTGGTCAAGTGTGACGTCGCCCTGAATGGATTCTGTTCCATT                           NMI5                         AATGGAACAGAATCCATTCAGGGCGACGTCACACTTGACCAAGAACAAAA                           NMI5C                         AAUGGAACAGAAUCCAUUCAGGGCGACGUCACACUUGACCAAGAACAAAA                           NMI5ICR                         UUUUGUUCUUGGUCAAGUGUGACGUCGCCCUGAAUGGAUUCUGUUCCAUU                           NMI5R               Group NMI6     TTTGCCTAAC ATTCCGTIGA CTAGAACATC AGAC   NMI6           GTCTGATGTT CTAGTCAACG GAATGTTAGG CAAA   NMI6IC           GUCUGAUGUU CUAGUCAACG GAAUGUUAGG CAAA   NMI6ICR           UUUGCCUAAC AUUCCGUUGA CUAGAACAUC AGAC   NMI6R           Group HDI1:     TTATTATGCG CGAGGCATAT TG   HDI1           CAATATGCCT CGCGCATAAT AA   HDI1IC           CAAUAUGCCU CGCGCAUAAU AA   HDI1ICR           UUAUUAUGCG CGAGGCAUAU UG   HDI1R           Group BCI1:     TTAAACATCT TACCAAAG   BCI1           CTTTGGTAAG ATGTTTAA   BCI1IC           CUUUGGUAAG AUGUUUAA   BCI1ICR           UUAAACAUCU UACCAAAG   BCI1R           Group BCI2:     TTGATGTTTA AACTTGCTTG GTGGA   BCI2           TCCACCAAGC AAGTTTAAAC ATCAA   BCI2IC           UCCACCAAGC AAGUUUAAAC AUCAA   BCI2ICR           UUGAUGUUUA AACUUGCUUG GUGGA   BCI2R           Group BPI1:     CCACACCCAT CCTCTGGACA GGCTT   BPI1           AAGCCTGTCC AGAGGATGGG TGTGG   BPI1IC           AAGCCUGUCC AGAGGAUGGG UGUGG   BPI1ICR           CCACACCCAU CCUCUGGACA GGCUU   BPI1R           Group HII1:     ACGCATCAAA TTGACCGCAC TT   HII1           AAGTGCGGTC AATTTGATGC GT   HII1IC           AAGUGCGGUC AAUUUGAUGC GU   HII1ICR           ACGCAUCAAA UUGACCGCAC UU   HII1R           Group HII2:     ACTTTGAAGT GAAAACTTAA AG   HII2           CTTIAAGTTT TCACTTCAAA GT   HII2IC           CUUUAAGUUU UCACUUCAAA GU   HII2ICR           ACUUUGAAGU GAAAACUUAA AG   HII2R           Group SAI1:     AATCGAAAGG TTCAAATTGT T   SAI1           AACAATTTGA ACCTTTCGAT T   SAI1IC           AACAAUUUGA ACCUUUCGAU U   SAI1ICR           AAUCGAAAGG UUCAAAUUGU U   SAI1R           Group SAI2:     GGAAACCTGC CATTTGCGTC TT   SAI2           AAGACGCAAA TGGCAGGTTT CC   SAI2IC           AAGACGCAAA UGGCAGGUUU CC   SAI2ICR           GGAAACCUGC CAUUUGCGUC UU   SAI2R           Group SAI3:     TCCACGATCT AGAAATAGAT TGTAGAA   SAI3           TTCTACAATC TATTTCTAGA TCGTGGA   SAI3IC           UUCUACAAUC UAUUUCUAGA UCGUGGA   SAI3ICR           UCCACGAUCU AGAAAUAGAU UGUAGAA   SAI3R           Group SAI4:     TCTAGTTTTA AAGAAACTAG GTT   SAI4           AACCTAGTTT CTTTAAAACT AGA   SAI4IC           AACCUAGUUU CUUUAAAACU AGA   SAI4ICR           UCUAGUUUUA AAGAAACUAG GUU   SAI4R           Group SPI1:     GTGAGAGATC ACCAAGTAAT GCA   SPI1           TGCATTACTT GGTGATCTCT CAC   SPI1IC           UGCAUUACUU GGUGAUCUCU CAC   SPI1ICR           GUGAGAGAUC ACCAAGUAAU GCA   SPI1R           Group SPI2     AGGAACTGCG CATTGGTCTT   SPI2           AAGACCAATG CGCAGTTCCT   SPI2IC           AAGACCAAUG CGCAGUUCCU   SPI2ICR           AGGAACUGCG CAUUGGUCUU   SPI2R           Group SPI3     GAGTTTATGA CTGAAAGGTC AGAA   SPI3           TTCTGACCTT TCAGTCATAA ACTC   SPI3IC           UUCUGACCUU UCAGUCAUAA ACUC   SPI3ICR           GAGUUUAUGA CUGAAAGGUC AGAA   SPI3R                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
 or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
 
 
     
     
         4 . Probe for detecting one or more  Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains, containing:    either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following groups of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                                          Group NGI1:                 CGATGCGTCG TTATTCTACT TCGC   NGI1                   GCGAAGTAGA ATAACGACGC ATCG   NGI1IC                   GCGAAGUAGA AUAACGACGC AUCG   NGI1ICR                   CGAUGCGUCG UUAUUCUACU UCGC   NGI1R                   Group NGI2:         TTCGTTTACC TACCCGTTGA CTAAGTAAGC AAAC   NGI2                   GTTTGCTTAC TTAGTCAACG GGTAGGTAAA CGAA   NGI2IC                   GUUUGCUUAC UUAGUCAACG GGUAGGUAAA CGAA   NGI2ICR                   UUGGUUUACC UACCCGUUGA CUAAGUAAGC AAAC   NGI2R                                             or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         5 . Process for detecting  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAs) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to any of the probes of  claim 4  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         6 . Process for detecting  Neisseria gonorrhoeae , in a biological sample, according to  claim 5 , wherein: the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is any of the probes of  claim 4 , the hybridization temperatur being suitably adjusted to the range of ab ut 50° C. and/or the wash temperature to the rang of about 50° C., and particularly wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows: 
 GCGAAGTAGA ATAACGACGC ATCG  
 HT and/or WT: 50° C.  
 GUUUGCUUAC UUAGUCAACG GGUAGGUAAA CGAA  
 HT and/or WT: 50° C.  
 
     
     
         7 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 4;     the butter or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  to be carried out;    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 4 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe select d among any of those according to  claim 4 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatic amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffers or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  to be carried out, the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         8 . Probe for detecting one or more  Neisseria meningitidis  strains, containing: 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following group of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                              Group NMI1:             GGTCAAGTGT GACGTCGCCC TG   NMI1           CAGGGCGACG TCACACTTGA CC   NMI1IC           CAGGGCGACG UCACACUUGA CC   NMI1ICR           GGUCAAGUGU GACGUCGCCC UG   NMI1R           Group NMI2:     GTTCTTGGTC AAGTGTGACG TC   NMI2           GACGTCACAC TTGACCAAGA AC   NMI2IC           GACGUCACAC UUGACCAAGA AC   NMI2ICR           GUUCUUGGUC AAGUGUGACG UC   NMI2R           Group NMI3:     GCGTTCGTTA TAGCTATCTA CTGTGC   NMI3           GCACAGTAGA TAGCTATAAC GAACGC   NMI3IC           GCACAGUAGA UAGCUAUAAC GAACGC   NMI3ICR           GCGUUCGUUA UAGCUAUCUA CUGUGC   NMI3R           Group NMI4:     TGCGTTCGAT ATTGCTATCT ACTGTGCA   NMI4           TGCACAGTAG ATAGCAATAT CGAACGCA   NMI4IC           UGCACAGUAG AUAGCAAUAU CGAACGCA   NMI4ICR           UGCGUUCGAU AUUGCUAUCU ACUGUGCA   NMI4R           Group NMI5:               TTTTGTTCTTGGTCAAGTGTGACGTCGCCCTGAATGGATTCTGTTCCATT                           NMI5                         AATGGAACAGAATCCATTCAGGGCGACGTCACACTTGACCAAGAACAAAA                           NMI5C                         AAUGGAACAGAAUCCAUUCAGGGCGACGUCACACUUGACCAAGAACAAAA                           NMI5ICR                         UUUUGUUCUUGGUCAAGUGUGACGUCGCCCUGAAUGGAUUCUGUUCCAUU                           NMI5R               Group NMI6:     TTTGCCTAAC ATTCCGTTGA CTAGAACATC AGAC   NMI6           GTCTGATGTT CTAGTCAACG GAATGTTAGG CAAA   NMI6IC           GUCUGAUGUU CUAGUCAACG GAAUGUUAGG CAAA   NMI6ICR           UUUGCCUAAC AUUCCGUUGA CUAGAACAUC AGAC   NMI6R                                                                                                                         or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         9 . Process for detecting  Neisseria menincritidis  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAs) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to any one of  claim 8  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary-nucleic acids of the Neisseria meningitidis strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a Neisseria meningitidis strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         10 . Process for detecting  Neisseria meningitidis , in a biological sample, according to  claim 9 , wherein: the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is anyone of the probes of  claim 8 , the hybridization temperature being suitably adjusted to the range of about 40 to 58° C. and/or the wash temperature to the range of about 40 to 58° C., and particularly, wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows: 
 CAGGGCGACG TCACACTTGA CC  
 HT and/or WT: 45° C.  
 GACGTCACAC TTGACCAAGA AC  
 HT and/or WT: 45° C.  
 GCACAGTAGA TAGCTATAAC GAACGC  
 HT and/or WT: 40° C.  
 TGCACAGTAG ATAGCAATAT CGAACGCA  
 HT and/or WT: 48° C.  
 TTTTGTTCTTGGTCAAGGTGTGACGTCGCCCTGAATGGATTCTGTTCCATT  
 H and/or WT: 58° C.  
 GTCTGATGTT CTAGTCAACG GAATGTTAGG CAAA  
 HT and/or WT: 50° C.  
 
     
     
         11 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Neisseria meningitidis  strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 8;     the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of Neisseria meningitidis to be carried out;    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Neisseria meningitidis  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 8 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Neisseria meningitidis  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 4 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Neisseria meningitidis  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         12 . Probe for detecting one or more  Haemophilus ducreyi  strains, containing: 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following group of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                                          Group HDI1:                 TTATTATGCG CGAGGCATAT TG   HDI1                   CAATATGCCT CGCGCATAAT AA   HDI1IC                   CAAUAUGCCU CGCGCAUAAU AA   HDI1ICR                   UUAUUAUGCG CGAGGCAUAU UG   HDI1R                                    or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         13 . Process for detecting  Haemophilus ducreyi  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAs) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to any one of  claim 12  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Haemophilus ducreyi  strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a  Haemophilus ducreyi  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         14 . Process for detecting  Haemophilus ducreyi , in a biological sample, according to anyone of  claim 13 , wherein:  
       the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is anyone of the probes of  claim 12 , the hybridization temperature being suitable adjusted to th range of about 40° C. and/or the wash temperatur to the range of about 40° C., and particularly, wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows: 
 CAATATGCCT CGCGCATAAT AA  
 HT and/or WT: 40° C.  
 
     
     
         15 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all Haemophilus ducreyi strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 12;     the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of  Haemophilus ducreyi  to be carried out;    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Haemophilus ducreyi  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 12 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Haemophilus ducreyi  to be carried out,    means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 12 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Haemophilus ducreyi  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         16 . Probe for detecting one or more  Branhameiia catarrhalis  strains, containing: 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following group of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                                          Group BCI1:                 TTAAACATCT TACCAAAG   BCI1                   CTTTGGTAAG ATGTTTAA   BCI1IC                   CUUUGGUAAG AUGUUUAA   BCI1ICR                   UUAAACAUCU UACCAAAG   BCI1R                   Group BCI2:         TTGATGTTTA AACTTGCTTG GTGGA   BCI2                   TCCACCAAGC AAGTTTAAAC ATCAA   BCI2IC                   UCCACCAAGC AAGUUUAAAC AUCAA   BCI2ICR                   UUGAUGUUUA AACUUGCUUG GUGGA   BCI2R                                             or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provid d that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         17 . Process for detecting  Branhamella catarrhalis  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAs) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to any one of  claim 16  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Branhamella catarrhalis strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a    Branhamella catarrhalis  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         18 . Process for detecting  Branhamella catarrhalis , in a biological sample, according to  claim 17 , wherein: the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25=M phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is anyone of the probes of  claim 16 , the hybridization temperature being suitable adjusted to the range of about 30° C. to 42° C. and/or the wash temperature to the range of about 30° C. to 42° C., and particularly, wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows: 
 CTTTGGTAAG ATGTTTAA  
 HT and/or WT: 30° C.  
 TCCACCAAGC AAGTTTAAAC ATCAA  
 HT and/or WT: 42° C.  
 
     
     
         19 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Branhamella catarrhalis  strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 16;     the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of  Branhamella catarrhalis  to be carried out;    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Branhamella catarrhalis  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 16 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Branhamella catarrhalis  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 16 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Branhamella catarrhalis  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         20 . Probe for detecting one or more  Bordetella pertussis  strains, containing: 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following group of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                                          Group BPI1:                 CCACACCCAT CCTCTGGACA GGCTT   BPI1                   AAGCCTGTCC AGAGGATGGG TGTGG   BPI1IC                   AAGCCUGUCC AGAGGAUGGG UGUGG   BPI1ICR                   CCACACCCAU CCUCUGGACA GGCUU   BPI1R                                    or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         21 . Process for detecting  Bordetella pertussis  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAS) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to any one of  claim 20  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Bordetella pertussis  strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a  Bordetella pertussis  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         22 . Process for detecting  Bordetella pertussis , in a biological sample, according to  claim 21 , wherein: the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is anyone of the probes of  claim 20 , the hybridization temperature being suitable adjusted to the range of about 55° C. and/or the wash temperature to the range of about 55° C., and particularly, wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows: 
 AAGCCTGTCC AGAGGATGGG TGTGG  
 HT and/or WT: 55° C.  
 
     
     
         23 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Bordetella pertussis  strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 20;     the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of  Bordetella pertussis  to be carried out;    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Bordetella pertussis  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 20 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction betw en these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Bordetella pertussis  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 20 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Bordetella pertussis  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         24 . Probe for detecting one or more  Haemophilus influenzae  strains, containing: 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following group of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                                          Group HII1:                 ACGCATCAAA TTGACCGCAC TT   HII1                   AAGTGCGGTC AATTTGATGC GT   HII1IC                   AAGUGCGGUC AAUUUGAUGC GU   HII1ICR                   ACGCAUCAAA UUCACCGCAC UU   HII1R                   Group HII2:         ACTTTGAAGT GAAAACTTAA AG   HII2                   CTTTAAGTTT TCACTTCAAA GT   HII2IC                   CUUUAAGUUU UCACUUCAAA GU   HII2ICR                   ACUUUGAAGU GAAAACUUAA AG   HII2R                                             or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         25 . Process for detecting  Haemophilus influenzae  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAS) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to anyone of  claim 24  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Haemophilus influenzae  strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a  Haemophilus influenzae  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         26 . Process for detecting  Haemophilus influenzae , in a biological sample, according to  claim 25 , wherein: the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is anyone of the probes of  claim 24 , the hybridization temperature being suitable adjusted to the range of about 35° C. to 55° C. and/or the wash temperature to the range of about 35° C. to 55° C., and particularly wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows: 
 AAGTGCGGTC AATTTGATGC GT  
 HT and/or WT: 55° C.  
 CTTTAAGTTT TCACTTCAAA GT  
 HT and/or WT: 35° C.  
 
     
     
         27 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Haemophilus influenzae  strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 24 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of  Haemophilus influenzae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Haemophilus influenzae  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 24 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Haemophilus influenzae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 24 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Haemophilus influenzae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         28 . Probe for detecting one or more  Streptococcus pneumoniae  strains, containing: 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following groups of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                                          Group SPI1:                 GTGAGAGATC ACCAAGTAAT GCA   SPI1                   TGCATTACTT GGTGATCTCT CAC   SPI1IC                   UGCAUUACUU GGUGAUCUCU CAC   SPI1ICR                   GUGAGAGAUC ACCAAGUAAU GCA   SPI1R                   Group SPI2         AGGAACTGCG CATTGGTCTT   SPI2                   AAGACCAATG CGCAGTTCCT   SPI2IC                   AAGACCAAUG CGCAGUUCCU   SPI2ICR                   AGGAACUGCG CAUUGGUCUU   SPI2R                   Group SPI3         GAGTTTATGA CTGAAAGGTC AGAA   SPI3                   TTCTGACCTT TCAGTCATAA ACTC   SPI3IC                   UUCUGACCUU UCAGUCAUAA ACUC   SPI3ICR                   GAGUUUAUGA CUGAAAGGUC AGAA   SPI3R                                                      or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         29 . Process for detecting  Streptococcus pneumoniae  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAS) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to anyone of  claim 28  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a  Streptococcus pneumoniae  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         30 . Process for detecting  Streptococcus pneumoniae , in a biological sample, according to  claim 29 , wherein: the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is anyone of the probes of  claim 28 , the hybridization temperature being suitable adjusted to the range of about 45° C. and/or the wash temperature to the range of about 45° C., and particularly wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows: 
 TGCATTACTT GGTGATCTCT CAC  
 HT and/or WT: 45° C.  
 AAGACCAATG CGCAGTTCCT  
 HT and/or WT: 45° C.  
 TTCTGACCTT TCAGTCATAA ACTG  
 HT and/or WT: 45° C.  
 
     
     
         31 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Streptococcus pneumoniae  strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 28;     the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  to be carried out;    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Streptococcus pneumoniae  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 28 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Streptococcus pn umoniae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe selected among any of thos according to  claim 28 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffers or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Streptococus pneumoniae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         32 . Probe for detecting one or more  Streptococcus agalactiae  strains, containing: 
 either a sequence belonging to a nucleic acid selected from the following groups of nucleic acids and which includes from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides of the selected nucleic acid:                                          Group SAI1:                 AATCGAAAGG TTCAAATTGT T   SAI1                   AACAATTTGA ACCTTTCGAT T   SAI1IC                   AACAAUUUGA ACCUUUCGAU U   SAI1ICR                   AAUCGAAAGG UUCAAAUUGU U   SAI1R                   Group SAI2:         GGAAACCTGC CATTTGCGTC TT   SAI2                   AAGACGCAAA TGGCAGGTTT CC   SAI2IC                   AAGACGCAAA UGGCAGGUUU CC   SAI2ICR                   GGAAACCUGC CAUUUGCGUC UU   SAI2R                   Group SAI3:         TCCACGATCT AGAAATAGAT TGTAGAA   SAI3                   TTCTACAATC TATTTCTAGA TCGTGGA   SAI3IC                   UUCUACAAUC UAUUUCUAGA UCGUGGA   SAI3ICR                   UCCACGAUCU AGAAAUAGAU UGUAGAA   SAI3R                   Group SAI4:         TCTAGTTTTA AAGAAACTAG GTT   SAI4                   AACCTAGTTT CTTTAAAACT AGA   SAI4IC                   AACCUAGUUU CUUUAAAACU AGA   SAI4ICR                   UCUAGUUUUA AAGAAACUAG GUU   SAI4R                                                               or a variant sequence which distinguishes of any of the preceding sequences: 
 either by addition to or removal from any of their respective extremities of one or several nucleotides;  
 or changing within any of said sequences of one or more nucleotides;  
 or both;  
 yet provided that in any of the above circumstances said probe still hybridizes with the same RNA or DNA target as the corresponding unmodified sequence.  
   
     
     
         33 . Process for detecting  Streptococcus agalactiae  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAs and/or RNAS) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to anyone f  claim 32  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Streptococcus agalactiae  strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a  Streptococcus agalactiae  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         34 . Process for detecting  Streptococcus aqalactiae , in a biological sample, according to  claim 33 , wherein:  
       the hybridization medium contains about 3×SSC, (SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) about 25 mM of phosphate buffer pH 7.1, 20% deionized formamide, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and about 0.1 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, and/or  
       the wash medium contains about 3×SSC, 25 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.1, and 20% deionized formamide and wherein the probe used is anyone of the probes of  claim 32 , the hybridization temperature being suitable adjusted to the range of about 35° C. to 45° C. and/or the wash temperature to the range of about 35° C. to 45° C., and particularly wherein said target sequence and the corresponding relevant hybridization temperature (HT) and wash temperature (WT), respectively, are as follows:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   AACAATTTGA ACCTTTCGAT T 
                     
                 
                     
                   HT and/or WT: 35° C. 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   AAGACGCAAA TGGCAGGTTT CC 
                 
                     
                   HT and/or WT: 45° C. 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   TTCTACAATC TATTTCTAGA TCGTGGA 
                 
                     
                   HT and/or WT: 45° C. 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   AACCTAGTTT CTTTAAAACT AGA 
                 
                     
                   HT and/or WT: 37° C. 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         35 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Streptococcus agalactiae  strains in a biological sample, with said kit containing: either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 32;     the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a large number, preferably all strains of  Streptococcus agalactiae  to be carried out;    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Streptococcus agalactiae  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 32 ,    the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Streptococcus agalactiae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or    at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 32 , which is fixed to a solid support,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffers or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and th DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Streptococcus agalactiae  to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.    
     
     
         36 . Probe for detecting one or more  Campylobacter jejuni  and  Campylobacter coli  strains, containing a sequence from 15 to the maximum number of nucleotides derived from the 16S-23S rRNA spacer sequence shown in FIG. 10 or its complement provided that the probe, at the appropriate conditions, hybridizes exclusively with DNA and/or RNA from  Campylobacter jejuni  and  Campylobacter coli  strains and not with DNA and/or RNA from other organisms.  
     
     
         37 . Process for detecting  Campylobacter jejuni  and  Campylobacter coli  strains in a biological sample, wherein said process comprises contacting said biological sample—in which the nucleic acids (DNAS and/or RNAs) of the strains have been made accessible to hybridization, if need be, under suitable denaturation conditions, with said nucleic acid to be detected being possibly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, with two primers, more preferably two more evolutionarily conserved primers, flanking the target sequence of the probe—with a probe according to anyone of  claim 36  under conditions enabling hybridization between the probe and complementary nucleic acids of the  Campylobacter jejuni  and  Campylobacter coli  strains, which may be present in the sample, and detecting the hybrids possibly formed, particularly with a probe hybridizing to both DNA and RNA of a  Campylobacter jejuni  or  Campylobacter coli  strain which may be present in the biological sample.  
     
     
         38 . Kit for the detection in vitro of a large number, preferably all  Campylobacter jejuni  and  Campylobacter coli  strains in a biol gical sample, with said kit containing:  
       either 
 at least one probe selected among any of those according to  claim 36;   
 the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAS of a large number, preferably all strains of  Campylobacter jejuni  or  Campylobacter coli  to be carried out;  
 the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or  
 at least two probes, targeting the same nucleic acid molecule, and of which at least one is specific for  Campylobacter jejuni  and  Campylobacter coli  and which is selected from any one of the probes of  claim 36 ,  
 the buffer or components necessary for producing the buffer enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Campylobacter jejuni  or  Campylobacter coli  to be carried out,  
 the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate, or  
 at least one probe selected among any of thos according to  claim 36 , which is fixed to a solid support,  
 the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,  
 the buffers or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatical amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a strain of  Campylobacter jejuni  or  Campylobacter coli  to be carri d out,  
 the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.  
 
     
     
         39 . Process for the in vitro detection of one microorganism or to the simultaneous in vitro detection of several microorganisms contained in a biological sample using anyone of the probes according to claims  1  to 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36, and specific for the Microorganism(s) to be detected wherein the DNA and/or RNA present in the biological sample (and comprising the target sequence) is labeled, preferably using enzymatic amplification with at least one set of primers flanking the probe region, and wherein said biological sample is contacted with a membrane on which one or more oligonucleotide probes are dot spotted on a known location, in a medium enabling specific hybridization of the amplified target sequence and the probes on the membrane and wherein the hybrids resulting from the hybridizations are detected by appropriate means.  
     
     
         40 . Kit for the in vitro detection of one microorganism or for the simultaneous in vitro detection of several microorganisms contained in a biological sample, with said kit containing: 
 at least one of the probes according to  claims 1  to  4 ,  8 ,  12 ,  16 ,  20 ,  24 ,  28 ,  32  and  36 , and specific for the microorganism(s) to be detected, which is dot spotted to a membrane,    the primers needed for performing enzymatical amplification of the DNA and/or RNA containing the target sequence of the above-mentioned probe, when appropriate,    the buffers or components necessary for producing the buffers enabling enzymatic amplification and/or enabling hybridization reaction between these probes and the DNAs and/or RNAs of a microorganism or microorganisms which are to be detected to to be carried out,    the means for detecting the hybrids resulting from the preceding hybridization, when appropriate.

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