A novel marker for the species-specific detection and quantitation of Shigella sonnei by targeting a methylase gene

J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2012 Aug;22(8):1113-7. doi: 10.4014/jmb.1111.11006.

Abstract

Shigella sonnei is a causal agent of fever, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrheal disease. The present study describes a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the specific detection of S. sonnei using a primer pair based on the methylase gene for the amplification of a 325 bp DNA fragment. The qPCR primer set for the accurate diagnosis of Shigella sonnei was developed from publically available genome sequences. This quantitative PCR-based method will potentially simplify and facilitate the diagnosis of this pathogen and guide disease management.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Methyltransferases / genetics*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Shigella sonnei / enzymology
  • Shigella sonnei / genetics*
  • Shigella sonnei / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Methyltransferases