Specific and universal probes and amplification primers to rapidly detect and identify common bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes from clinical specimens for routine diagnosis in microbiology laboratories

Abstract

The present invention relates to DNA-based methods for universal bacterial detection, for specific detection of the common bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis as well as for specific detection of commonly encountered and clinically relevant bacterial antibiotic resistance genes directly from clinical specimens or, alternatively, from a bacterial colony. The above bacterial species can account for as much as 80% of bacterial pathogens isolated in routine microbiology laboratories. The core of this invention consists primarily of the DNA sequences from all species-specific genomic DNA fragments selected by hybridization from genomic libraries or, alternatively, selected from data banks as well as any oligonucleotide sequences derived from these sequences which can be used as probes or amplification primers for PCR or any other nucleic acid amplification methods. This invention also includes DNA sequences from the selected clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes. With these methods, bacteria can be detected (universal primers and/or probes) and identified (species-specific primers and/or probes) directly from the clinical specimens or from an isolated bacterial colony. Bacteria are further evaluated for their putative susceptibility to antibiotics by resistance gene detection (antibiotic resistance gene specific primers and/or probes). Diagnostic kits for the detection of the presence, for the bacterial identification of the above-mentioned bacterial species and for the detection of antibiotic resistance genes are also claimed. These kits for the rapid (one hour or less) and accurate diagnosis of bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance will gradually replace conventional methods currently used in clinical microbiology laboratories for routine diagnosis. They should provide tools to clinicians to help prescribe promptly optimal treatments when necessary. Consequently, these tests should contribute to saving human lives, rationalizing treatment, reducing the development of antibiotic resistance and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

1 . A method using probes (fragments and/or oligonucleotides) and/or amplification primers which are specific, ubiquitous and sensitive for determining the presence and/or amount of nucleic acids from bacterial species selected from the group consisting of  Escherichia coli, Klebsiells pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphlyococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphlyococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae  and  Moraxells catarrhalis  in a any sample suspected of containing said bacterial nucleic acid, wherein said bacterial nucleic acid or variant or part thereof comprises a selected target region hybridizable with said probes or primers; said method comprising the steps of contacting said sample with said probes or primers and detecting the presence and/or amount of hybridized probes and/or amplified products as an indication of the presence and/or amount of said bacterial species.  
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1  further using probes (fragments and/or oligonucleotides) and/or amplification primers which are universal and sensitive for determining the presence and/or amount of nucleic acids from any bacteria from any sample suspected of containing said bacterial nucleic acid, wherein said bacterial nucleic acid or variant or part thereof comprises a selected target region hybridizable with said probes or primers; said method comprising the steps of contacting said sample with said probes or primers and detecting the presence and/or amount of hybridized probes and/or amplified products as an indication of the presence and/or amount of said any bacteria.  
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 1  further using probes (fragments and/or oligonucleotides) and/or amplification primers which are specific, ubiquitous and sensitive for determining the presence and/or amount of nucleic acids from an antibiotic resistance gene selected from the group consisting of bla tem , Bla rob , Bla shv , aadB, aacC1, aacC2, aacC3, aacA4, mecA, vanA, vanH, vanX, satA, aacA-aphD, vat, vga, msrA, sul and int in any sample suspected of containing said bacterial nucleic acid, wherein said bacterial nucleic acid or variant or part thereof comprises a selected target region hybridizable with said probes or primers; said method comprising the steps of contacting said sample with said probes or primers and detecting the presence and/or amount of hybridized probes and/or amplified products as an indication of the presence and/or amount of said antibiotic resistance gene.  
     
     
         4 . The method of any one of claims  1 ,  2  and  3  which is performed directly on a sample obtained from human patients, animals, environment or food.  
     
     
         5 . The method of any one of claims  1 ,  2  and  3  which is performed directly on a sample consisting of one or more bacterial colonies.  
     
     
         6 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the bacterial nucleic acid is amplified by a method selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) polymerase chain reaction (PCR),    b) ligase chain reaction,    c) nucleic acid sequence-based amplification,    d) self-sustained sequence replication,    e) strand displacement amplification,    f) branched DNA signal amplification,    g) nested PCR, and    h) multiplex PCR.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said bacterial nucleic acid is amplified by PCR.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the PCR protocol is modified to determine within one hour the presence of said bacterial nucleic acids by performing for each amplification cycle an annealing step of only one second at 55° C. and a denaturation step of only one second at 95° C. without any elongation step.  
     
     
         9 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Escherichia coli  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or    inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,    said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;    b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Escherichia coli,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Escherichia coli  in said test sample.    
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-227 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 3 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-278 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequence thereof,    3) an oligonucleotide of 12-1596 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 5 or a complementary sequence thereof,    4) an oligonucleotide of 12-2703 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 6 or a complementary sequence thereof,    5) an oligonucleotide of 12-1391 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 7 or a complementary sequence thereof, and    variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Escherichia coli.      
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Escherichia coli  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 48, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 50, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 52, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 54 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Escherichia coli  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Escherichia coli  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Escherichia coli  in said test sample.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 42 and SEQ ID NO: 43,    b) SEQ ID NO: 46 and SEQ ID NO: 47,    c) SEQ ID NO: 55 and SEQ ID NO: 56, and    d) SEQ ID NO: 131 and SEQ ID NO: 132.    
     
     
         14 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Klebsiella pneumoniae  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or    inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,    said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;    b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Klebsiella pneumoniae,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Klebsiella pneumoniae  in said test sample.    
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-238 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 8 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-385 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 9 or a complementary sequence thereof,    3) an oligonucleotide of 12-462 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 10 or a complementary sequence thereof,    4) an oligonucleotide of 12-730 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 11 or a complementary sequence thereof, and    variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Klebsiella pneumoniae.      
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Klebsiella pneumoniae  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 57, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 59, SEQ ID NO: 60, SEQ ID NO: 63, SEQ ID NO: 64, SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 69 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         17 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Klebsiella pneumoniae  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Klebsiella pneumoniae  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, and SEQ ID NO: 11;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Klebsiella pneumoniae  in said test sample.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 61 and SEQ ID NO: 62,    b) SEQ ID NO: 67 and SEQ ID NO: 68,    c) SEQ ID NO: 135 and SEQ ID NO: 136, and    d) SEQ ID NO: 137 and SEQ ID NO: 138.    
     
     
         19 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Proteus mirabilis  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or    inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,    said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;    b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Proteus mirabilis,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Proteus mirabilis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         20 . A method as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-225 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 12 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-402 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 13 or a complementary sequence thereof,    3) an oligonucleotide of 12-157 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 14 or a complementary sequence thereof,    4) an oligonucleotide of 12-1348 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 15 or a complementary sequence thereof, and    variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Proteus mirabilis.      
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Proteus mirabilis  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 73, SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81, SEQ ID NO: 82 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         22 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Proteus mirabilis  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Proteus mirabilis  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, and SEQ ID NO: 15;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Proteus mirabilis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 74 and SEQ ID NO: 75, and    b) SEQ ID NO: 133 and SEQ ID NO: 134.    
     
     
         24 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Staphylococcus saprophyticus  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or    inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,    said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;    b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 24, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Staphylococcus saprophyticus,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus saprophyticus  in said test sample.    
     
     
         25 . A method as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-172 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 21 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-155 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 22 or a complementary sequence thereof,    3) an oligonucleotide of 12-145 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 23 or a complementary sequence thereof,    4) an oligonucleotide of 12-265 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 24 or a complementary sequence thereof, and    variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Staphylococcus saprophyticus.      
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Staphylococcus saprophyticus  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 96, SEQ ID NO: 97, SEQ ID NO: 100, SEQ ID NO: 101, SEQ ID NO: 102, SEQ ID NO: 103, SEQ ID NO: 104 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         27 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus saprophyticus  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Staphylococcus saprophyticus  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 23, and SEQ ID NO: 24;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus saprophyticus  in said test sample.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 98 and SEQ ID NO: 99, and    b) SEQ ID NO: 139 and SEQ ID NO: 140.    
     
     
         29 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Moraxella catarrhalis  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 29, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Moraxella catarrhalis,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Moraxella catarrhalis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         30 . A method as defined in  claim 29 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-526 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 28 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-466 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 29 or a complementary sequence thereof, and    variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Moraxella catarrhalis.      
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Moraxella catarrhalis  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 108, SEQ ID NO: 109, SEQ ID NO: 110, SEQ ID NO: 111, SEQ ID NO: 114, SEQ ID NO: 115, SEQ ID NO: 116, SEQ ID NO: 117 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         32 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Moraxella catarrhalis  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Moraxella catarrhalis  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 28 and SEQ ID NO: 29;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Moraxella catarrhalis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 112 and SEQ ID NO: 113,    b) SEQ ID NO: 118 and SEQ ID NO: 119, and    c) SEQ ID NO: 160 and SEQ ID NO: 119.    
     
     
         34 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Pseudomonas aeruginosa,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  in said test sample.    
     
     
         35 . A method as defined in  claim 34 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-2167 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 16 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-1872 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 17 or a complementary sequence thereof,    3) an oligonucleotide of 12-3451 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 18 or a complementary sequence thereof,    4) an oligonucleotide of 12-744 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 19 or a complementary sequence thereof,    5) an oligonucleotide of 12-2760 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 20 or a complementary sequence thereof, and    variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Pseudomonas aeruginosa.      
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 87, SEQ ID NO: 88, SEQ ID NO: 89, SEQ ID NO: 90, SEQ ID NO: 91, SEQ ID NO: 92, SEQ ID NO: 93, SEQ ID NO: 94, SEQ ID NO: 95 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         37 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and SEQ ID NO: 20;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  in said test sample.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 83 and SEQ ID NO: 84, and    b) SEQ ID NO: 85 and SEQ ID NO: 86.    
     
     
         39 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Staphylococcus epidermidis  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 36, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Staphylococcus epidermidis,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus epidermidis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         40 . A method as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of an oligonucleotide of 12-705 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 36 and variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Staphylococcus epidermidis.    
     
     
         41 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus epidermidis  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Staphylococcus epidermidis  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the following sequence: SEQ ID NO: 36;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus epidermidis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 145 and SEQ ID NO: 146, and    b) SEQ ID NO: 147 and SEQ ID NO: 148.    
     
     
         43 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Staphylococcus aureus  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 37, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Staphylococcus aureus , under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus aureus  in said test sample.    
     
     
         44 . A method as defined in  claim 43 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of an oligonucleotide of 12-442 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 37 and variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Staphylococcus aureus.    
     
     
         45 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus aureus  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Staphylococcus aureus  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the following sequence: SEQ ID NO: 37;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Staphylococcus aureus  in said test sample.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 149 and SEQ ID NO: 150,    b) SEQ ID NO: 149 and SEQ ID NO: 151, and    c) SEQ ID NO: 152 and SEQ ID NO: 153.    
     
     
         47 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Haemophilus influenzae  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 27, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Haemophilus influenzae,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Haemophilus influenzae  in said test sample.    
     
     
         48 . A method as defined in  claim 47 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-845 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 25 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-1598 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 26 or a complementary sequence thereof,    3) an oligonucleotide of 12-9100 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 27 or a complementary sequence thereof, and 
 variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Haemophilus influenzae.    
   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Haemophilus influenzae  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 105, SEQ ID NO: 106, SEQ ID NO: 107 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         50 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Haemophilus influenzae  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Haemophilus influenzae  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 26 and SEQ ID NO: 27;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Haemophilus influenzae  in said test sample.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said at least one pair of primers comprises the following pair: SEQ ID NO: 154 and SEQ ID NO: 155.  
     
     
         52 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 35, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Streptococcus pneumoniae,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  in said test sample.    
     
     
         53 . A method as defined in  claim 52 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-631 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 30 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-3754 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 31 or a complementary sequence thereof,    3) an oligonucleotide of 12-841 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 34 or a complementary sequence thereof,    4) an oligonucleotide of 12-4500 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 35 or a complementary sequence thereof, and 
 variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Streptococcus pneumoniae.    
   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the probe for detecting nucleic acid sequences from  Streptococcus pneumoniae  is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 120, SEQ ID NO: 121 and a sequence complementary thereof.  
     
     
         55 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 34 and SEQ ID NO: 35;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  in said test sample.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 78 and SEQ ID NO: 79,    b) SEQ ID NO: 156 and SEQ ID NO: 157, and    c) SEQ ID NO: 158 and SEQ ID NO: 159.    
     
     
         57 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Streptococcus pyogenes  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 33, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Streptococcus pyogenes,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Streptococcus pyogenes  in said test sample.    
     
     
         58 . A method as defined in  claim 57 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-1337 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 32 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-1837 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 33 or a complementary sequence thereof, and 
 variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Streptococcus pyogenes.    
   
     
     
         59 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Streptococcus pyogenes  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Streptococcus pyogenes  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 32 and SEQ ID NO: 33;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Streptococcus pyogenes  in said test sample.    
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 141 and SEQ ID NO: 142, and    b) SEQ ID NO: 143 and SEQ ID NO: 144.    
     
     
         61 . A method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of  Enterococcus faecalis  directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically and ubiquitously anneals with strains or representatives of  Enterococcus faecalis,  under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Enterococcus faecalis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         62 . A method as defined in  claim 61 , wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) an oligonucleotide of 12-1817 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof,    2) an oligonucleotide of 12-2275 nucleotides in length which sequence is comprised in SEQ ID NO: 2, and 
 variants thereof which specifically and ubiquitously anneal with strains and representatives of  Enterococcus faecalis.    
   
     
     
         63 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of  Enterococcus faecalis  in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of  Enterococcus faecalis  DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of  Enterococcus faecalis  in said test sample.    
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein said at least one pair of primers is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) SEQ ID NO: 38 and SEQ ID NO: 39, and    b) SEQ ID NO: 40 and SEQ ID NO: 41.    
     
     
         65 . A method for the detection of the presence and/or amount of any bacterial species directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a universal probe which sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 122, SEQ ID NO: 123, SEQ ID NO: 124, SEQ ID NO: 125, SEQ ID NO: 128, SEQ ID NO: 129, SEQ ID NO: 130 and a sequence complementary thereof, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of the presence and/or amount of said any bacterial species in said test sample.    
     
     
         66 . A method for detecting the presence and/or amount of any bacterial species in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing a pair of universal primers which sequence is defined in SEQ ID NO: 126 and SEQ ID NO: 127, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said any bacterial species DNA that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of the presence and/or amount of said any bacterial species in said test sample.    
     
     
         67 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene bla tem  (TEM-1) directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 161, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a β-lactamase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene TEM-1.    
     
     
         68 . A method as defined in  claim 67 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 161.  
     
     
         69 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene bla tem  (TEM-1) in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a β-lactamase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 161;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene TEM-1.    
     
     
         70 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene bla rob  (ROB-1) directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 162, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a β-lactamase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene ROB-1.    
     
     
         71 . A method as defined in  claim 70 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 162.  
     
     
         72 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene bla rob  (ROB-1) in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a β-lactamase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 162;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene ROB-1.    
     
     
         73 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene bla shv  (SHV-1) directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 163, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a β-lactamase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene SHV-1.    
     
     
         74 . A method as defined in  claim 73 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 163.  
     
     
         75 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene bla shv  (SHV-1) in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a β-lactamase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 163;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene SHV-1.    
     
     
         76 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aadB directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 164, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside adenylyltransferase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aadB.    
     
     
         77 . A method as defined in  claim 76 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 164.  
     
     
         78 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aadB in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside adenylyltransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 164;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aadB.    
     
     
         79 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC1 directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 165, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC1.    
     
     
         80 . A method as defined in  claim 79 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 165.  
     
     
         81 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aaccl in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 165;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC1.    
     
     
         82 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC2 directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 166, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC2.    
     
     
         83 . A method as defined in  claim 82 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 166.  
     
     
         84 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC2 in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 166;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC2.    
     
     
         85 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC3 directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 167, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC3.    
     
     
         86 . A method as defined in  claim 85 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 167.  
     
     
         87 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC3 in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 167;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacC3.    
     
     
         88 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA4 directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 168, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA4.    
     
     
         89 . A method as defined in  claim 88 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 168.  
     
     
         90 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA4 in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 168;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA4.    
     
     
         91 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene mecA directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 169, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a penicillin-binding protein, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene mecA.    
     
     
         92 . A method as defined in  claim 91 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 169.  
     
     
         93 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene mecA in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a penicillin-binding protein that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 169;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene mecA.    
     
     
         94 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to vancomycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance genes vanH, vanA and vanX directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 170, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance genes coding for vancomycin-resistance proteins, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to vancomycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance genes vanH, vanA and vanX.    
     
     
         95 . A method as defined in  claim 94 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 170.  
     
     
         96 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to vancomycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance genes vanH, vanA and vanX in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance genes coding for vancomycin-resistance proteins that contain a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 170;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to vancomycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance genes vanH, vanA and vanX.    
     
     
         97 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to streptogramin A mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene satA directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 173, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a streptogramin A acetyltransferase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to streptogramin A mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene satA.    
     
     
         98 . A method as defined in  claim 97 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 173.  
     
     
         99 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to streptogramin A mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene satA in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for streptogramin A acetyltransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 173;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to streptogramin A mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene satA.    
     
     
         100 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA-aphD directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 174, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase-phosphotransferase under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA-aphD.    
     
     
         101 . A method as defined in  claim 100 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 174.  
     
     
         102 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside; antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA-aphD in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase-phosphotransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 174;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene aacA-aphD.    
     
     
         103 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vat directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 175, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a virginiamycin acetyltransferase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vat.    
     
     
         104 . A method as defined in  claim 103 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 175.  
     
     
         105 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vat in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a virginiamycin acetyltransferase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 175;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vat.    
     
     
         106 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vga directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 176, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an ATP-binding protein, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vga.    
     
     
         107 . A method as defined in  claim 106 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 176.  
     
     
         108 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vga in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an ATP-binding protein that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 176;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to virginiamycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene vga.    
     
     
         109 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to erythromycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene msrA directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 177, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an erythromycin resistance protein under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of a bacterial resistance to erythromycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene msrA.    
     
     
         110 . A method as defined in  claim 109 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 177.  
     
     
         111 . A method for evaluating a bacterial resistance to erythromycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene msrA in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an erythromycin resistance protein that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 177;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of a bacterial resistance to erythromycin mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene msrA.    
     
     
         112 . A method for evaluating potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene int directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an integrase, under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene int.    
     
     
         113 . A method as defined in  claim 112 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 171.  
     
     
         114 . A method for evaluating potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene int in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for an integrase that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 171;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene int.    
     
     
         115 . A method for evaluating potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene sul directly from a test sample or from bacterial colonies, which comprises the following steps: 
 a) depositing and fixing on an inert support or leaving in solution the bacterial DNA of the sample or of a substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample, or 
 inoculating said sample or said substantially homogenous population of bacteria isolated from this sample on an inert support, and lysing in situ said inoculated sample or isolated bacteria to release the bacterial DNA,  
 said bacterial DNA being in a substantially single stranded form;  
   b) contacting said single stranded DNA with a probe, said probe comprising at least one single stranded nucleic acid which nucleotidic sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 172, a sequence complementary thereof, a part thereof and a variant thereof, which specifically anneals with said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a sulfonamide resistance protein under conditions such that the nucleic acid of said probe can selectively hybridize with said bacterial DNA, whereby a hybridization complex is formed, said complex being detected by labelling means, the label being present on said probe or the label being present on a first reactive member of said labelling means, said first reactive member reacting with a second reactive member present on said probe; and    c) detecting the presence or the intensity of said label on said inert support or in said solution as an indication of potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene sul.    
     
     
         116 . A method as defined in  claim 115 , wherein said probe comprises an oligonucleotide of at least 12 nucleotides in length which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 172.  
     
     
         117 . A method for evaluating potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene sul in a test sample which comprises the following steps: 
 a) treating said sample with an aqueous solution containing at least one pair of oligonucleotide primers having at least 12 nucleotides in length, one of said primers being capable of hybridizing selectively with one of the two complementary strands of said bacterial antibiotic resistance gene coding for a sulfonamide resistance protein that contains a target sequence, and the other of said primers being capable of hybridizing with the other of said strands so as to form an extension product which contains the target sequence as a template, said at least one pair of primers being chosen from within the sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 172;    b) synthesizing an extension product of each of said primers which extension products contain the target sequence, and amplifying said target sequence, if any, to a detectable level; and    c) detecting the presence and/or amount of said amplified target sequence as an indication of potential bacterial resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and/or trimethoprim mediated by the bacterial antibiotic resistance gene sul.    
     
     
         118 . A nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 37, SEQ ID NOs: 161 to 177, a part thereof and variants thereof which, when in single stranded form, ubiquitously and specifically hybridize with a target bacterial DNA as a probe or as a primer.  
     
     
         119 . An oligonucleotide having a nucleotidic sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 38 to 160.  
     
     
         120 . A recombinant plasmid comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 118 .  
     
     
         121 . A recombinant host which has been transformed by a recombinant plasmid according to  claim 120 .  
     
     
         122 . A recombinant host according to  claim 121  wherein said host is  Escherichia coli.    
     
     
         123 . A diagnostic kit for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial species defined in any one of claims  9 ,  14 ,  19 ,  24 ,  29 ,  34 ,  39 ,  43 ,  47 ,  52 ,  57  and  61 , comprising any combination of probes defined therein.  
     
     
         124 . A diagnostic kit for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial species defined in any one of claims  10 ,  11 ,  15 ,  16 ,  20 ,  21 ,  25 ,  26 ,  30 ,  31 ,  35 ,  36 ,  40 ,  44 ,  48 ,  49 ,  53 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62  and  65 , comprising any combination of oligonucleotide probes defined therein.  
     
     
         125 . A diagnostic kit for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial species defined in any one of claims  12 ,  13 ,  17 ,  18 ,  22 ,  23 ,  27 ,  28 ,  32 ,  33 ,  37 ,  38 ,  41 ,  42 ,  45 ,  46 ,  50 ,  51 ,  55 ,  56 ,  59 ,  60 ,  63 ,  64  and  66  comprising any combination of primers defined therein.  
     
     
         126 . A diagnostic kit for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial resistance genes defined in any one of claims  67 ,  70 ,  73 ,  76 ,  79 ,  82 ,  85 ,  88 ,  91 ,  94 ,  97 ,  100 ,  103 ,  106  and  109  comprising any combination of probes defined therein.  
     
     
         127 . A diagnostic kit for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial resistance genes defined in any one of claims  68 ,  71 ,  74 ,  77 ,  80 ,  83 ,  86 ,  89 ,  92 ,  95 ,  98 ,  101 ,  104 ,  107  and  110  comprising any combination of oligonucleotide probes defined therein.  
     
     
         128 . A diagnostic kit for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial resistance genes defined in any one of claims  69 ,  72 ,  75 ,  78 ,  81 ,  84 ,  87 ,  90 ,  93 ,  96 ,  99 ,  102 ,  105 ,  108  and  111  comprising any combination of primers defined therein.  
     
     
         129 . A diagnostic kit for the simultaneous detection and quantification of nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial species defined in  claim 123 , comprising any combination of the bacterial probes defined therein and any combination of the probes to the antibiotic resistance genes defined in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 161 to 177 in whole or in part.  
     
     
         130 . A diagnostic kit for the simultaneous detection and quantification of nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial species defined in  claim 124 , comprising any combination of the bacterial oligonucleotide probes defined therein and any combination of oligonucleotide probes that hybridize to the antibiotic resistance genes defined in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 161 to 177.  
     
     
         131 . A diagnostic kit for the simultaneous detection and quantification of nucleic acids of any combination of the bacterial species defined in  claim 125 , comprising any combination of the primers defined therein and any combination of primers that anneal to the antibiotic resistance genes defined in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 161 to 177.