Multiplex PCR for Detection of Genes forStaphylococcus aureus Enterotoxins, Exfoliative Toxins, Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1, and Methicillin Resistance

ABSTRACT

A multiplex PCR assay for detection of genes for staphylococcal enterotoxins A to E (entA, entB,entC, entD, and entE), toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (tst), exfoliative toxins A and B (etaA and etaB), and intrinsic methicillin resistance (mecA) was developed. Detection offemA was used as an internal positive control. The multiplex PCR assay combined the primers for sea tosee and femA in one set and those foreta, etb, tst, mecA, and femA in the other set. Validation of the assay was performed using 176 human isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. This assay offers a very specific, quick, reliable, and inexpensive alternative to conventional PCR assays used in clinical laboratories to identify various staphylococcal toxin genes.