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

An arbitrarily primed-polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) method was optimized 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 mixture contained 200 micromol l(-1) dNTPs, 200 ng primer, 1 U Taq DNA polymerase and 3 mmol l(-1) MgCl2 and the amplification conditions were: initial denaturation of 94 degrees C for 1 min, primer annealing of 30 degrees C for 1.5 min, DNA extension at 55 degrees C for 5 min and final extension at 55 degrees C for 5 min. The results of the characterization of the staphylococcal isolates by AP-PCR are in accordance with those of the biochemical identification 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 assurance.