SOME FACTORS INHIBITING AMPLIFICATION OF THE STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS ENTEROTOXIN C1 GENE (SEC+) BY PCR

PCR amplification of the sec+ gene for staphylococcal enterotoxin C1 ( SEC1) can be achieved from as little as 10 fg total genomic DNA (equiv alent to less than 10 cells) using two nested primer pairs. The presen ce of bacterial cells, particularly thermonuclease-producing staphyloc occi, and the thermonuclease enzyme (TNase) itself, were found to be f actors which individually and together reduced the sensitivity of PCR amplification.