Molecular identification of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples by specific PCR assay targeting the signal transduction gene

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common, Gram-positive species that is pathogenic in both human and animals. Rapid and direct identification of this bacterium specifically from clinical specimens would be useful in improving the diagnosis of S. aureus infections in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Although, some molecular identification assays are reported, some false-positive cases are described; it is an urgent need to develop a specific diagnostic method. Currently, the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction targeting a signal transduction gene (vick) for the diagnosis of S. aureus isolates in clinical samples was developed. The assay is sensitive enough to detect 5500 copies of a cloned fragment of the S. aureus vick gene. This PCR assay can be used for rapid clinical diagnosis of S. aureus infection and detection of the pathogen in food samples.