DETECTION OF GLYCOPEPTIDE RESISTANCE GENOTYPES AND IDENTIFICATION TO THE SPECIES LEVEL OF CLINICALLY RELEVANT ENTEROCOCCI BY PCR

A PCR assay that allows simultaneous detection of glycopeptide resista nce genotypes and identification to the species level of clinically re levant enterococci (Enterococcus faecium, E. faecalis, E. gallinarum, and E. casseliflavus) was developed, This assay was based on specific amplification of internal fragments of genes encoding D-alanine:D-alan ine ligases and related glycopeptide resistance proteins. The specific ity of the assay was tested on 5 well-characterized glycopeptide-resis tant strains and on 15 susceptible enterococcal type strains. Clinical isolates of enterococci that could not be identified to the species l evel by conventional methods were identified by the PCR test. This ass ay offers a specific and rapid alternative to antibiotic susceptibilit y tests, in particular for detection of low-level vancomycin resistanc e.