Abstract: The present invention describes novel SCCmec right extremity junction sequences for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA). It relates to the use of these DNA sequences for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel SCCmec right extremity junction sequences for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA). It relates to the use of these DNA sequences for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A method for enrichment and isolation of microbial cells and microbial nucleic acids from a biological sample is described. The method comprises (i) adding to an initial volume of biological sample a differential cell lysis solution to obtain a final concentration of 0.1 to 1% of SDS in the sample; (ii) mixing the solution obtained in step (i) for a period of time sufficient to lyse the host cells present in the biological sample, while preserving the integrity of cells; and (iii) separating the microbial cells from the lysed host cells components. Differential cell lysis solutions and kits for practicing the method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the detection of Streptococcus agalacticae.

Abstract: Primers and probes for detection of toxin-producing (toxigenic) strains of Clostridium difficile, and to methods of detecting toxigenic strains using these primers and probes. Toxigenic strains of C. difficile are detected by nucleic acid-based amplification methods using particular primers and probes that bind to the toxin B (TcdB) gene. These primers and probes are used to amplify C. difficile nucleic acids in clinical samples to determine the presence of these toxigenic strains.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel SCCmec right extremity junction sequences for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA). It relates to the use of these DNA sequences for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Primers and probes for detection of toxin-producing (toxigenic) strains of Clostridium difficile, and to methods of detecting toxigenic strains using these primers and probes. Toxigenic strains of C. difficile are detected by nucleic acid-based amplification methods using particular primers and probes that bind to the toxin B (TcdB) gene. These primers and probes are used to amplify C. difficile nucleic acids in clinical samples to determine the presence of these toxigenic strains.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the detection of Streptococcus agalacticae.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and compositions for the detection and/or quantification of S. aureus from a sample, as well as methods and compositions useful for the detection and/or quantification of S. aureus and MRSA in a single assay. Embodiments include nucleic acids that hybridize to S. aureus-specific nuc sequences and MREJ sequences.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and compositions for the detection and/or quantification of S. aureus from a sample, as well as methods and compositions useful for the detection and/or quantification of S. aureus and MRSA in a single assay. Embodiments include nucleic acids that hybridize to S. aureus-specific nuc sequences and MREJ sequences.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting a target comprising a singlestranded aptamer complementary to said target, and a water-soluble cationic polythiophene derivative of the following formula: wherein “n” is an integer ranging from 6 to 100, is disclosed. The optical sensor allows for the detection of targets selected from the group consisting of potassium ions, small organic molecules, amino acids, proteins, whole cells and nucleotides. The detection is based on the formation of hybrid anionic aptamer/cationic poly-thiophene complexes.

Abstract: Four highly conserved genes, encoding translation elongation factor Tu, translation elongation factor G, the catalytic subunit of proton-translocating ATPase and the RecA recombinase, are used to generate species-specific, genus-specific, family-specific, group-specific and universal nucleic acid probes and amplification primers to rapidly detect and identify algal, archaeal, bacterial, fungal and parasitical pathogens from clinical specimens for diagnosis. The detection of associated antimicrobial agents resistance and toxin genes are also under the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to reagent comprising: any one of cells, viral particles, organelles, parasites, cells comprising organelles, cells comprising viral particles, cells comprising parasites, cells comprising bacterial cells and any combination thereof, the cells, viral particles, organelles or parasites comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence serving as an internal control (IC) target for nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay; wherein the reagent is suitable to be added to a test sample undergoing sample preparation to release, concentrate and/or purify nucleic acids and amplification and/or detection of nucleic acids so as to be used to verify: (i) the efficiency of sample preparation; and (ii) the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification and/or detection. The present invention also relates to a method to verify or validate the preparation and amplification and/or detection of a nucleic acid target sequence in a sample spiked with a reagent of the present invention.

Abstract: Four highly conserved genes, encoding translation elongation factor Tu, translation elongation factor G, the catalytic subunit of proton-translocating ATPase and the RecA recombinase, are used to generate species-specific, genus-specific, family-specific, group-specific and universal nucleic acid probes and amplification primers to rapidly detect and identify algal, archaeal, bacterial, fungal and parasitical pathogens from clinical specimens for diagnosis. The detection of associated antimicrobial agents resistance and toxin genes are also under the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection of vancomycin-resistant pathogens using primers and/or probes to the vanA and vanB genes.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and compositions for species-specific detection of bacterial and fungal nucleic acids and nucleic acids of antibiotic resistance genes.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for the specific and ubiquitous detection of Streptococcus agalactiae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for universal bacterial detection, for specific detection of the common bacterial pathogens, and for specific detection of commonly encountered and clinically relevant bacterial antibiotic resistance genes directly from clinical specimens or, alternatively, from a bacterial colony. The core of this invention consists primarily of the DNA sequences from all species-specific genomic DNA fragments selected by hybridization from genomic libraries or, alternatively, selected from data banks as well as any oligonucleotide sequences derived from these sequences which can be used as probes or amplification primers for PCR or any other nucleic acid amplification methods. This invention also includes DNA sequences from the selected clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes. Diagnostic kits comprising such primers and probes are also provided.

Abstract: Novel methods allowing for the simple optical and electrochemical detection of double-stranded oligonucleotides are disclosed. The methods are rapid, selective and versatile. Advantageously, they do not require any chemical reaction on the probes or on the analytes since they are based on different electrostatic interactions between cationic poly(3-alkoxy-4-methylthiophene) derivatives and single-stranded or double-stranded (hybridized) oligonucleotides.

Abstract: This invention relates to reagent comprising: any one of cells, viral particles, organelles, parasites, cells comprising organelles, cells comprising viral particles, cells comprising parasites, cells comprising bacterial cells and any combination thereof, the cells, viral particles, organelles or parasites comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence serving as an internal control (IC) target for nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay; wherein the reagent is suitable to be added to a test sample undergoing sample preparation to release, concentrate and/or purify nucleic acids and amplification and/or detection of nucleic acids so as to be used to verify: (i) the efficiency of sample preparation; and (ii) the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification and/or detection. The present invention also relates to a method to verify or validate the preparation and amplification and/or detection of a nucleic acid target sequence in a sample spiked with a reagent of the present invention.