Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of novel polymorphisms (SNPs) in the penicillin binding protein (pbp3) gene in Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of G88A and/or G2047A SNPs provides an accurate, reliable biomarker for the presence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The present invention provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs as well as methods of identifying and using these variants to screen subjects for presence of CA-MRSA. The methods involve isolating a biological sample from a mammal (preferably a human) and testing for the presence of a SNP in the pbp3 gene which is associated with CA-MRSA.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of novel polymorphisms (SNPs) in the penicillin binding protein (pbp3) gene in Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of G88A and/or G2047A SNPs provides an accurate, reliable biomarker for the presence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The present invention provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs as well as methods of identifying and using these variants to screen subjects for presence of CA-MRSA. The methods involve isolating a biological sample from a mammal (preferably a human) and testing for the presence of a SNP in the pbp3 gene which is associated with CA-MRSA.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of polymorphisms (SNPs) in the penicillin binding protein (pbp3) gene in Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of G88A and/or G2047A SNPs provides an accurate, reliable biomarker for the presence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The present invention provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs as well as methods of identifying and using these variants to screen subjects for presence of CA-MRSA. The methods involve isolating a biological sample from a mammal (preferably a human) and testing for the presence of a SNP in the pbp3 gene which is associated with CA-MRSA.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of quantifying microflora in vaginal samples. Quantitative assessment of vaginal microflora by real-time PCR to create a profiling of Lactobacillus species, Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera Type 1 and Type 2 and BVAB2 permits evaluation of bacterial vaginosis. Kits containing reagents for quantitative assessment of microflora are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of novel polymorphisms (SNPs) in the penicillin binding protein (pbp3) gene in Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of G88A and/or G2047A SNPs provides an accurate, reliable biomarker for the presence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The present invention provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs as well as methods of identifying and using these variants to screen subjects for presence of CA-MRSA. The methods involve isolating a biological sample from a mammal (preferably a human) and testing for the presence of a SNP in the pbp3 gene which is associated with CA-MRSA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibiotic resistance profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by assessing the presence of mutations (e.g., SNP) in antibiotic resistant genes that confer bacterial resistance against antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporin, macrolides and spectinomycin. There is provided a method and a kit for generating an antibiotic resistance profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by utilizing a multiplex PCR to amplify segments of antibiotic-resistant genes, allele-specific primer extension to detect gene mutation, and detection of such gene mutations with gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, or DNA microarray. The present method provides useful information to physicians relating the antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae against different classes of antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of polymorphisms (SNPs) in the penicillin binding protein (pbp3) gene in Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of G88A and/or G2047A SNPs provides an accurate, reliable biomarker for the presence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The present invention provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs as well as methods of identifying and using these variants to screen subjects for presence of CA-MRSA. The methods involve isolating a biological sample from a mammal (preferably a human) and testing for the presence of a SNP in the pbp3 gene which is associated with CA-MRSA.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The presence of G76C, C213G, or C318A (SNP) in tvntr 4 or the presence of A238T, G427C, or T476C (SNP) in tvntr6 provides a reliable biomarker for the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The present invention further provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs to screen subjects for metronidazole resistance in Trichomonas vaginalis.

Abstract: A method and kit related thereto are described for the collection and maintenance of detectability of a plurality of species of microbiological agents in a single clinical sample as well as an integral method for handling a plurality of the samples and managing information associated therewith for reporting a sum of diagnostic results for each sample.

Abstract: A method and kit related thereto are described for the collection and maintenance of detectability of a plurality of species of microbiological agents in a single clinical sample as well as an integral method for handling a plurality of the samples and managing information associated therewith for reporting a sum of diagnostic results for each sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibiotic resistance profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by assessing the presence of mutations (e.g., SNP) in antibiotic resistant genes that confer bacterial resistance against antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporin, macrolides and spectinomycin. There is provided a method and a kit for generating an antibiotic resistance profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by utilizing a multiplex PCR to amplify segments of antibiotic-resistant genes, allele-specific primer extension to detect gene mutation, and detection of such gene mutations with gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, or DNA microarray. The present method provides useful information to physicians relating the antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae against different classes of antibiotics.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful in the detection and identification of species of Candida are disclosed. The compositions are combinations of oligonucleotides, where the forward primers of the primer pairs have identical sequences, while each reverse primer of the primer pairs has a unique sequence relative to all of the other reverse primers; or the reverse primers of the primer pairs have identical sequences, while each forward primer of the primer pairs has a unique sequence relative to all of the other forward primers. The oligonucleotides also include probes capable of detecting these amplicons, and sequencing primers for determining, in primer extension reactions, the nucleotide sequences contained within the amplicons. The detection of an amplicon indicated that the sample contains at least one isolate of Candida ablicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, or Candida tropicalis, and the nucleotide sequence data is used to determine which of these four Candida species is present.

Abstract: Methods for using oligonucleotides in the detection of Aspergillus fumigatus are disclosed. The oligonucleotides of the invention have nucleotide sequences derived from the gene encoding the cytochrome P450 14 alpha-sterol demethylase (the cyp51A protein) of Aspergillus fumigatus. The oligonucleotides include primers capable of producing amplicons specific to cyp51A in polymerase chain reactions using nucleic acids isolated from Aspergillus fumigatus as templates. The oligonucleotides also include probes capable of detecting these cyp51A-specific amplicons. The oligonucleotides of the invention also include primers for nucleotide sequencing reactions to determine whether an isolate of Aspergillus fumigatus is more tolerant than wild-type Aspergillus fumigatus to a triazole.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for conducting assays utilizing real-time polymerase chain reactions (“PCRs”) in detection of serotypes L I, L II, and L III, but not stereotype B, of Chlamydia trachomatis, capable of causing lymphogranuloma venereum (“LGV”). These assays take advantage of a deletion occurring in the cytotoxin gene locus specific to the L I, L II, and L III serotypes. Each assay employs a first primer having a nucleotide sequence flanking one side of the deletion point and a second primer having a nucleotide sequence flanking the other side of the deletion point, wherein the first primer and the second primer are capable of hybridizing respectively to the plus strand and the minus strand of the genome of Chlamydia trachomatis during PCR. Synthesis during PCR of a sequence-specific amplicon containing this deletion point indicates that the sample contains nucleic acid specific to an LGV-causing serotype of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for detecting and identifying distinct species of nucleic acids, in a single container, for example, from a certain genus of infectious agents or otherwise causative agents comprising, for example, providing a forward PCR primer common to a homologous gene region between the distinct species, and providing a reverse PCR primer common to a homologous gene region between the distinct species, to thereby define a PCR target region amongst the species, and providing a first oligonucleotide probe specific to a nucleic acid sequence within the target region that is characteristic of a first species, providing a second oligonucleotide probe specific to a nucleic acid sequence within the target region that is characteristic of a second species, wherein the first and second oligonucleotide probes are each detectably labeled with distinctly different detectable labels, conducting a PCR reaction in the container by means of the primers to amplify the target region amongst the species, and de

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The presence of G76C, C213G, or C318A (SNP) in tvntr 4 or the presence of A238T, G427C, or T476C (SNP) in tvntr6 provides a reliable biomarker for the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The present invention further provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs to screen subjects for metronidazole resistance in Trichomonas vaginalis.

Abstract: Disclosed is the cloning, expression and purification of a hemolysin protein and its protein fragments in Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The recombinant hemolysin and its protein fragments are useful in the ELISA detection of anaplasma pathogen. The use of same as a kit for ELISA is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The presence of G76C, C213G, or C318A (SNP) in tvntr 4 or the presence of A238T, G427C, or T476C (SNP) in tvntr6 provides a reliable biomarker for the presence of metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. The present invention further provides reagents used for detecting the SNPs to screen subjects for metronidazole resistance in Trichomonas vaginalis.

Abstract: Disclosed are the cloning and expression of a novel antigen of Bartonella henselae. The recombinant polypeptide is found to be highly immunogenic and is useful as a diagnostic test antigen. The polypeptide of the present invention provides the basis of a diagnostic assay that is sensitive, rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection with Bartonella henselae using patient's sera. Disclosed also are the ELISA for both IgG and IgM and allows diagnosis of early and late infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic methods for determining a subtype of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a biological sample of a mammal. Methods include providing a biological sample of the mammal, performing a PCR analysis of the biological sample, and analyzing the PCR amplicons with respect to their sizes so as to determine for type I, type II, type III, type IV or type V MRSA that may be present in the biological sample. Further example embodiments include using at least one mecA primer pair and/or using at least one Staphylococcus aureus nuc primer pair in the PCR analysis. Further disclosed are methods for screening populations for MRSA, and methods of treating a mammal testing positive for Type IV MRSA. Also disclosed are kits for determining a MRSA subtype in a mammal and isolated primers that may be used in the present methods and kits.