Rapid differentiation of Staphylococcus aureus from staphylococcal speciesby arbitrarily primed-polymerase chain reaction

An arbitrarily primed-polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) method was optimiz ed to differentiate Staphylococcus aureus from other staphylococcal species , using DNA from crude cell extract. From the different assays carried out, the best resolution of the band patterns was obtained when the reaction mi xture contained 200 mu mol l(-1) dNTPs, 200 ng primer, 1 U Taq DNA polymera se and 3 mmol l(-1) MgCl2 and the amplification conditions were: initial de naturation of 94 degreesC for 1 min, primer annealing of 30 degreesC for 1. 5 min, DNA extension at 55 degreesC for 5 min and final extension at 55 deg reesC for 5 min. The results of the characterization of the staphylococcal isolates by AP-PCR are in accordance with those of the biochemical identifi cation by the API Staph System, time of analysis of the AP-PCR being only 6 -7 h. Thus, this technique could be a useful method for microbial quality a ssurance.