Detection of mecA-containing Staphylococcus spp.

Abstract

The invention provides methods to detect mecA-containing Staphylococcus spp. in biological samples using real-time PCR. Primers and probes for the detection of S. aureus are provided by the invention. Articles of manufacture containing such primers and probes for detecting mecA-containing Staphylococcus spp. are further provided by the invention.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . An article of manufacture, comprising: 
 a pair of mecA primers;    a pair of mecA probes; and    a donor fluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety.    
     
     
         24 . The article of manufacture of  claim 23 , wherein said pair of mecA primers comprise a first mecA primer and a second mecA primer, wherein said first mecA primer comprises the sequence 
 5′-AAA CTA CGG TAA CAT TGA TCG CAA C-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1), and wherein said second mecA primer comprises the sequence                                      (SEQ ID NO: 2)                           5′-TCT TGT ACC CAA TTT TGA TCC ATT T-3′.                                       
     
     
         25 . The article of manufacture of  claim 23 , wherein said pair of mecA probes comprises a first mecA probe and a second mecA probe, wherein said first mecA probe comprises the sequence 
 5′-GTG GAA TTG GCC AAT ACA GGA ACA GCA TA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:3), and wherein said second mecA probe comprises the sequence                                      (SEQ ID NO: 4)                           5′-GAG ATA GGC ATC GTT CCA AAG AAT GTA-3′.             b 11339553.1                                     
     
     
         26 . The article of manufacture of  claim 25 , wherein said first mecA probe is labeled with said donor fluorescent moiety and wherein said second mecA probe is labeled with said corresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety.  
     
     
         27 . The article of manufacture of  claim 23 , further comprising a package insert having instructions thereon for using said pair of mecA primers and said pair of mecA probes to detect the presence or absence of mecA-containing  Staphylococcus  spp. in a sample.  
     
     
         28 - 36 . (canceled)