Rapid Detection of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance: Preliminary Evaluation of PCR Assays Targeting Tetracycline Resistance Genes; Technical rept

摘要

The rapid spreading of bacterial antibiotic resistance and the lack of methods that would allow fast and accurate determination of the resistance profile of an infectious agent have become a major concern for public health. In the context of biological warfare or a bioterrorist attack, resistance against commonly used antibiotics would severely compromise the capabilities of the responsible agencies to protect large numbers of exposed individuals against a potentially lethal infection. In this study the possibility of developing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for rapid detection of tetracycline resistance genes was evaluated. PCR assays were designed for seven resistance genes that frequently occur in Gram-positive and Gram-negative species and tested on eight tetracycline resistant clinical isolates. Positive results were obtained from seven of the eight species tested.