RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-SAPROPHYTICUS USING AN OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PROBE COMPLEMENTARY TO 16S RIBOSOMAL-RNA

The complete nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of Staphylococcu s saprophyticus, one of the most frequently encountered clinically sig nificant members of the coagulase-negative staphylococci, was determin ed. An oligonucleotide probe (pSs) was defined for the identification of S. saprophyticus by comparing the sequences of the 16S rRNA genes o f numerous representative staphylococci. A primer-specific PCR was tes ted to differentiate S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus without the n eed for hybridization.