The author thanks R. Boss, A. Cosandey, C. Fournier, I. Ivanovic, and J. Naskova for their excellent work.

1. Staphylococcus aureus Isolates
<ol>
	<li>Spread 10 &#181;l of S. aureus stock culture or one colony grown on a selective medium on Columbia agar plates containing 5% sheep blood (BA).</li>
	<li>Incubate aerobically at 37 &#176;C for 18 hr to 24 hr.</li>
</ol>
2. DNA Extraction
<ol>
	<li>Prepare TEL buffer containing 10 mM Tris-HCl and 10 mM Na2EDTA, pH 8.5. Prepare aliquots and autoclave at 121 &#176;C for 15 min.</li>
	<li>Collect 1 colony from BA using a sterile plastic loop or a sterile wooden tooth pick and resuspend in 100 &#181;l TEL. Use 1.5 ml tubes with screw caps.</li>
	<li>Incubate at 95 &#176;C for 10 min. Afterwards, place the samples immediately on wet ice.</li>
	<li>Dilute the samples 1:100 in H2O suitable for PCR (= template DNA for PCR). The non-diluted and diluted samples may be kept at -20 &#176;C for 1 month.</li>
</ol>
3. RS-PCR
<ol>
	<li>For each sample pipette into a PCR tube 1.5 &#181;l H2O, 12.5 &#181;l Taq Master Mix, 2 &#181;l G1 primer 10 &#181;M, 2 &#181;l L1 primer 10 &#181;M, and 7 &#181;l of template DNA that corresponds to about 30 ng of pure DNA 2.</li>
	<li>Run the following cycling program in a standard PCR cycler: 15 min 95 &#176;C, followed by 27 cycles comprising 94 &#176;C for 1 min, followed by a 2 min ramp and annealing at 55 &#176;C for 7 min. After a further 2 min ramp, extend at 72 &#176;C for 2 min. Terminate PCR by a final extension at 72 &#176;C for 10 min followed by cooling down to 4 &#176;C. 
	NOTE: The PCR products can be stored at -20 &#176;C for 5 days.</li>
	<li>For each run of RS-PCR include a positive control, i.e.,&#160;a sample with a known genotype (normally GTB), and a negative control (H2O).</li>
</ol>
4. Electrophoresis
<ol>
	<li>Use a commercial miniaturized electrophoresis kit for DNA (MED kit) together with a bioanalyzer connected to a PC and the installed software. Study the corresponding manuals of the manufacturer carefully.</li>
	<li>Set up the chip priming station and adjust the syringe clip according to the manual of the manufacturer.</li>
	<li>Prepare the gel-dye mix according to the manual of the manufacturer.</li>
	<li>Loading the gel-dye mix (according to the manual of the manufacturer).
	<ol>
		<li>Equilibrate the gel-dye mix to RT for 30 min before use.</li>
		<li>Put new DNA chip on the chip priming station. Pipette 9 &#181;l of gel-dye in the well-marked G.</li>
		<li>Make sure that the plunger is positioned at 1 ml and then close the chip priming station. Press plunger until it is held by the syringe clip. Wait exactly for 30 sec then release the syringe clip.</li>
		<li>Wait for 5 sec. Slowly pull back plunger to 1 ml position.</li>
		<li>Open chip priming station and pipette 9 &#181;l of gel-dye in both wells marked &#39;G&#39;.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Loading the Marker
	<ol>
		<li>Pipette 5 &#181;l of marker in all 12 sample wells and in the ladder well. Do not leave any of these 13 wells empty.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Loading the Ladder and the Samples.
	<ol>
		<li>Pipette 1 &#181;l of DNA ladder to the well-marked with the ladder sign.</li>
		<li>Pipette 1 &#181;l of sample (used wells) or 1 &#181;l of deionized water (unused wells).</li>
		<li>Put the chip horizontally in the adapter and vortex for 1 min at 2,400 rpm.</li>
		<li>Run the chip in the bioanalyzer within 5 min.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Running the Analysis
	<ol>
		<li>Start the bioanalyzer and the connected computer. Open the software.</li>
		<li>Open the lid of the bioanalyzer and place the chip into the chip holder (the chip fits only one way). Close the lid carefully.</li>
		<li>In the Instrument context of the software select &#34;Electrophoresis&#34; &#62; &#34;dsDNA&#34; &#62; &#34;DNA 7500&#34;. Accept the current File Prefix of the software or modify it.</li>
		<li>Click the start button present in the software. Enter the sample names in the software. When the chip run is finished (after approximately 30 min) the End of Run message appears in the bioanalyzer software.</li>
		<li>Remove the chip and clean the electrodes of the bioanalyzer according to the instructions of the manufacturer.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
5. Inferring the Genotype from the Electrophoresis Profile
<ol>
	<li>Load the Mahal software (software is freely available from the authors).</li>
	<li>Import reference data into the Mahal software: &#34;File&#34; &#62; &#34;Import Reference Data&#34;</li>
	<li>Open the electrophoresis run in the Data context of the bioanalyzer software. Select an electrophoresis profile of one sample.</li>
	<li>Check for the relevant peaks.
	<ol>
		<li>Use the Mahal software to check for the relevant peaks: &#34;Tools&#34; &#62; &#34;Mean Fluorescence&#34;. Insert into the &#34;Fluorescence&#34; box the fluorescence values indicated as fluorescence units (FU) as they can be read out from the bioanalyzer software. Insert the 4 (3) peaks with highest fluorescence in ascending order and separated by comma. Example: 126,130,132,137. 
		NOTE: If not all of these peaks FU are indicated by the bioanalyzer software, they need to be estimated by reading them out from the plot.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Press the &#34;Calculate&#34; button. A peak is relevant if the observed fluorescence exceeds the value given in the box &#34;Minimal peak height&#34;.</li>
	<li>Infer the genotype.
	<ol>
		<li>Insert into the Mahal textbox &#34;Input Peaks (bp)&#34; the sizes in bp of all relevant peaks in ascending order and separated by comma. Example: 440,462,519,579,637. 
		NOTE: If not all of these peak sizes are indicated by the bioanalyzer software, they need to be estimated by reading them out from the plot.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Press the &#34;Calculate&#34; button.</li>
	<li>In the list box, look for the minimal squared Mahalanobis distance &#34;d2m&#34;. If the corresponding P value right to it is &#8805;0.05 then the probability is &#8805;5% that the null hypothesis H0 is rejected (H0: the observed and the reference profile are identical) meaning that the observed profile is accepted to be identical to the reference profile of the indicated genotype.</li>
	<li>If d2m is minimal but the field of the corresponding P value is empty, reject H0 with a probability &#60;5%. 
	NOTE: This means that the profiles are unequal although d2m is minimal. Such an outcome may result from non-average electrophoresis conditions.
	<ol>
		<li>To correct for these deviations, insert into the text box &#34;Observed Peak (bp)&#34; the value 395 and press the &#34;Calculate&#34; button. Check again for minimal d2m and a corresponding P value &#8805;0.05. If not successful, try the values 405, 415, and 425. 
		NOTE: Sometimes smaller steps are even indicated. If still not successful, the observed profile is not present in the Reference Data, it may be a new genotype or variant.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Various Profiles
	<ol>
		<li>Repeat steps 5.6 to 5.9 for each electrophoresis profile separately.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Sears, P. M., McCarthy, K. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Management+and+treatment+of+staphylococcal+mastitis.">Management and treatment of staphylococcal mastitis.</a> Vet.Clin.North Am.Food Anim.Pract. 19 (1), 171-185 (2003).</li><li>Fournier, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bovine+Staphylococcus+aureus:+association+of+virulence+genes,+genotypes+and+clinical+outcome.">Bovine Staphylococcus aureus: association of virulence genes, genotypes and clinical outcome.</a> Res.Vet.Sci. 85 (3), 439-448 (2008).</li><li>Cosandey, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Staphylococcus+aureus+genotype+B+and+other+genotypes+isolated+from+cow+milk+in+European+countries.">Staphylococcus aureus genotype B and other genotypes isolated from cow milk in European countries.</a> J.Dairy Sci. 99 (1), 529-540 (2016).</li><li>Boss, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bovine+Staphylococcus+aureus:+Subtyping,+evolution,+and+zoonotic+transfer.">Bovine Staphylococcus aureus: Subtyping, evolution, and zoonotic transfer.</a> J.Dairy Sci. 99 (1), 515-528 (2016).</li><li>Graber, H. U., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mastitis-related+subtypes+of+bovine+Staphylococcus+aureus+are+characterized+by+different+clinical+properties.">Mastitis-related subtypes of bovine Staphylococcus aureus are characterized by different clinical properties.</a> J.Dairy Sci. 92 (4), 1442-1451 (2009).</li><li>Heiniger, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse+einer+Intervention+zur+Verbesserung+der+Eutergesundheit+in+Schweizer+Milchviehbetrieben.">Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse einer Intervention zur Verbesserung der Eutergesundheit in Schweizer Milchviehbetrieben.</a> Schweiz.Arch.Tierheilkd. 156 (10), 473-481 (2014).</li><li>Hamann, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Definition+of+the+physiological+cell+count+threshold+based+on+changes+in+milk+composition.">Definition of the physiological cell count threshold based on changes in milk composition.</a> IDF Mastitis Newsletter. 25, 9-12 (2003).</li><li>Hwang, S. Y., Park, Y. K., Koo, H. C., Park, Y. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=spa+typing+and+enterotoxin+gene+profile+of+Staphylococcus+aureus+isolated+from+bovine+raw+milk+in+Korea.">spa typing and enterotoxin gene profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine raw milk in Korea.</a> J.Vet.Sci. 11 (2), 125-131 (2010).</li><li>Sakwinska, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Link+between+genotype+and+antimicrobial+resistance+in+bovine+mastitis-related+Staphylococcus+aureus+strains,+determined+by+comparing+Swiss+and+French+isolates+from+the+Rhone+Valley.">Link between genotype and antimicrobial resistance in bovine mastitis-related Staphylococcus aureus strains, determined by comparing Swiss and French isolates from the Rhone Valley.</a> Appl.Environ.Microbiol. 77 (10), 3428-3432 (2011).</li><li>Rabello, R. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multilocus+sequence+typing+of+Staphylococcus+aureus+isolates+recovered+from+cows+with+mastitis+in+Brazilian+dairy+herds.">Multilocus sequence typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from cows with mastitis in Brazilian dairy herds.</a> J.Med.Microbiol. 56, 1505-1511 (2007).</li><li>Tavakol, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bovine-associated+MRSA+ST398+in+the+Netherlands.">Bovine-associated MRSA ST398 in the Netherlands.</a> Acta Vet.Scand. 54, 28 (2012).</li><li>Harmsen, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Typing+of+methicillin-resistant+Staphylococcus+aureus+in+a+university+hospital+setting+by+using+novel+software+for+spa+repeat+determination+and+database+management.">Typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a university hospital setting by using novel software for spa repeat determination and database management.</a> J.Clin.Microbiol. 41 (12), 5442-5448 (2003).</li><li>Zadoks, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Application+of+pulsed-field+gel+electrophoresis+and+binary+typing+as+tools+in+veterinary+clinical+microbiology+and+molecular+epidemiologic+analysis+of+bovine+and+human+Staphylococcus+aureus+isolates.">Application of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and binary typing as tools in veterinary clinical microbiology and molecular epidemiologic analysis of bovine and human Staphylococcus aureus isolates.</a> J.Clin.Microbiol. 38 (5), 1931-1939 (2000).</li><li>Cremonesi, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genomic+characteristics+of+Staphylococcus+aureus+strains+associated+with+high+within-herd+prevalence+of+intramammary+infections+in+dairy+cows.">Genomic characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with high within-herd prevalence of intramammary infections in dairy cows.</a> J.Dairy Sci. 98 (10), 6828-6838 (2015).</li><li>Enright, M. C., Day, N. P., Davies, C. E., Peacock, S. J., Spratt, B. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multilocus+sequence+typing+for+characterization+of+methicillin-resistant+and+methicillin-susceptible+clones+of+Staphylococcus+aureus.">Multilocus sequence typing for characterization of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible clones of Staphylococcus aureus.</a> J.Clin.Microbiol. 38 (3), 1008-1015 (2000).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The most critical step of the whole procedure is when there is an excess of DNA in RS-PCR (&#62;30 ng pure DNA/assay) 2. In general, resolution of a profile is optimal if all of its peaks start and end at the baseline. If two peaks are too close together, resolution is incomplete. Under these conditions, the bioanalyzer software may lead to inappropriate peak identification so that manual identification is required.
All the visibly separated and relevant peaks expressed as bp or FU ...

Staphylococcus (S. aureus) is known as the most important pathogen worldwide responsible for intramammary infection (IMI) in cattle 1. The study by Fournier et al. 2 demonstrated in Swiss cows and the studies by Cosandey et al. 3 and Boss et al. 4 in cows of 12 European countries that S. aureus isolated from bovine IMI is a genetically heterogeneous group. By PCR amplification of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (RS-PCR), a total of 17 genotypes were initially detected in 101 epidemiologically independent isolates 2. Genotype B and genotype C (GTC) were most common (80%), whereas the other 15 genotypes (GTs) occurred rarely, each making 1 to 4% of all the isolates. At the European level 3, GTB, GTC, GTF, GTI, and GTR were the most important genotypes comprising 76% of all analyzed strains (n = 456). GTB was situated in central Europe whereas the other genotypes were widely disseminated. The remaining 24% of the strains included 41 genotypes, many of them, however, were observed only once.
The studies by Fournier et al. 2, Cosandey et al. 3, and Graber et al. 5 further demonstrated that the genotypes were highly associated with their virulence gene pattern, as well as at the Swiss as at the European level. The studies further revealed massive differences in IMI prevalence among S. aureus GTB, GTC and the other genotypes 2,5: considering GTB, up to 87% of cows in a herd were infected by this genotype. In the case of GTC and of the other genotypes, however, IMI was only found in 1 to 2 cows of a herd.
IMI caused by S. aureus, normally results in inflammation of the corresponding mammary glands and an increase of inflammatory cells in milk. As a consequence, the somatic cell counts in milk (SCC), the key indicator of milk quality in most countries, is increased leading to a decreased milk price or even delivery stop.
Besides the RS-PCR of Fournier et al. 2, other typing methods have been described for subtyping bovine strains of S. aureus 8-11. Two common ones include spa typing 12 and Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) 13. The former one is based on DNA sequencing the variable spacer region of the staphylococcal spa gene coding for protein A, whereas the latter one requires the sequencing of 7 housekeeping genes. This means that one 12 and seven PCRs 13, respectively, need to be performed, followed by amplicon purification, sequencing reaction and analysis using specific equipment. Compared to RS-PCR, these methods require a considerable additional effort in the laboratory resulting in a low sample throughput and high costs. The throughput is particularly low for PFGE. Considering the resolution of these methods for bovine strains of S. aureus, RS-PCR is at least as good as spa typing 4 and better than MLST 4 or PFGE 15.
All these methods including binary typing 13 demonstrated their effectiveness in obtaining further insight into the pathogenesis of bovine IMI caused by S. aureus, but because of the mentioned restrictions they are less appropriate for large clinical investigations. In addition, genotyping by RS-PCR as described by Fournier et al. 2 allows the reliable prediction of the epidemiological and the pathogenic potential of S. aureus involved in bovine IMI, two key values in clinical veterinary medicine.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethan</td><td>Merck</td><td>1.08382.0500</td><td>Mw = 121.14 g/mol</td></tr><tr><td>Titriplex III</td><td>Merck</td><td>1.08418.0250</td><td>Mw = 372.24 g/mol; Substance is equivalent to Na&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;EDTA&amp;middot;2H&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O</td></tr><tr><td>Hydrochloric acid 5 mol/L</td><td>Merck</td><td>1.09911.0001</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Columbia agar+5% sheep blood</td><td>bioM&amp;eacute;rieux</td><td>43049</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Agilent DNA7500 Kit</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>5067-1504</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>G2940CA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Agilent 2100 expert sofware</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HotStarTaq master mix&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Qiagen</td><td>203445</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Primer L1</td><td>Mycrosinth</td><td></td><td>5&#039;CAA GGC ATC CAC CGT3&#039;</td></tr><tr><td>Primer G1</td><td>Mycrosinth</td><td></td><td>5&#039;GAA GTC GTA ACA AGG3&#039;</td></tr></tbody></table>

genotyping of staphylococcus aureus by ribosomal spacer pcr (rs-pcr)

The ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is a highly resolving and robust genotyping method for S. aureus that allows a high throughput at moderate costs and is, therefore, suitable to be used for routine purposes. For best resolution, data evaluation and data management, a miniaturized electrophoresis system is required. Together with such an electrophoresis system and the in-house developed software (freely available here) assignment of the pattern of bands to a genotype is standardized and straight forward. DNA extraction is simple (boiling prep), setting-up of the reactions is easy and they can be run on any standard PCR machine. PCR cycling is common except prolonged ramping and elongation times. Compared to spa typing and Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), RS-PCR does not require DNA sequencing what simplifies the analysis considerably and allows a high throughput. Furthermore, the resolution for bovine strains of S. aureus is at least as good as spa typing and better than MLST or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The RS-PCR data base includes presently a total of 141 genotypes and variants. The method is highly associated with the virulence gene pattern, contagiosity and pathogenicity of S. aureus strains involved in bovine mastitis. S. aureus genotype B (GTB) is contagious and causes herds problems causing large costs in the Switzerland and other European countries. All the other genotypes observed in Switzerland infect individual cows and quarters. Genotyping by RS-PCR allows the reliable prediction of the epidemiological and the pathogenic potential of S. aureus involved in bovine intramammary infection (IMI), two key factors for clinical veterinary medicine. Because of these beneficial properties together with moderate costs and a high sample throughput the goal of this publication is to give a detailed, step-by-step protocol for easily establishing and running RS-PCR for genotyping S. aureus in other laboratories.

Definition of a genotype and its variants
An electrophoretic profile differing in more than one band from all identified genotypes is considered as a new genotype. New genotypes are named and extended according to Fournier et al. 5 leading to the genotypes GTA to GTZ, followed by the genotypes GTAA to GTAZ, and GTBA to GTBZ, and GTCA to GTCC at present. Variation in just one band is regarded as a genotypic va...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR at JoVE.com

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR

Here, ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is used together with a miniaturized electrophoresis system as a fast and high resolution method for genotyping S. aureus at moderate costs allowing a high throughput.

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

The ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is a highly resolving and robust genotyping method for S. aureus that allows a high throughput at moderate costs and is, ...

genotyping-of-staphylococcus-aureus-by-ribosomal-spacer-pcr-rs-pcr

Universidad de Cartagena UDEC

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

9.6K Views.  Agroscope. Here, ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is used together with a miniaturized electrophoresis system as a fast and high resolution method for genotyping S. aureus at moderate costs allowing a high throughput.

Video: Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR

Generation of a Gene-disrupted Streptococcus mutans Strain Without Gene Cloning

Typical methods for the elucidation of the function of a particular gene involve comparative phenotypic analyses of the wild-type strain and a strain in which the gene of interest has been disrupted. A gene-disruption DNA construct containing a suitable antibiotic resistance marker gene is useful for the generation of gene-disrupted strains in bacteria. However, conventional construction methods, which require gene cloning steps, involve complex and time-consuming protocols. Here, a relatively facile, rapid, and cost-effective method for targeted gene disruption in Streptococcus mutans is described. The method utilizes a 2-step fusion polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to generate the disruption construct and electroporation for genetic transformation. This method does not require an enzymatic reaction, other than PCR, and additionally offers greater flexibility in terms of the design of the disruption construct. Employment of electroporation facilitates the preparation of competent cells and improves the transformation efficiency. The present method may be adapted for the generation of gene-disrupted strains of various species.

Generation of a Gene-disrupted Streptococcus mutans Strain Without Gene Cloning

We describe a facile, rapid, and relatively inexpensive method for the generation of gene-disrupted Streptococcus mutans strains; this technique may be adapted for the generation of gene-disrupted strains of various species.

Typical methods for the elucidation of the function of a particular gene involve comparative phenotypic analyses of the wild-type strain and a strain in ...

Genetics

One-day Workflow Scheme for Bacterial Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Testing from Blood Cultures

Bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality rates because of the probable manifestation of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock1. Therefore, rapid administration of adequate antibiotic therapy is of foremost importance in the treatment of bloodstream infections. The critical element in this process is timing, heavily dependent on the results of bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Both of these parameters are routinely obtained by culture-based testing, which is time-consuming and takes on average 24-48 hours2, 4. The aim of the study was to develop DNA-based assays for rapid identification of bloodstream infections, as well as rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The first assay is a eubacterial 16S rDNA-based real-time PCR assay complemented with species- or genus-specific probes5. Using these probes, Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as well as Gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Streptococcus pneumoniae could be distinguished. Using this multiprobe assay, a first identification of the causative micro-organism was given after 2 h.
Secondly, we developed a semi-molecular assay for antibiotic susceptibility testing of S. aureus, Enterococcus spp. and (facultative) aerobe Gram-negative rods6. This assay was based on a study in which PCR was used to measure the growth of bacteria7. Bacteria harvested directly from blood cultures are incubated for 6 h with a selection of antibiotics, and following a Sybr Green-based real-time PCR assay determines inhibition of growth. The combination of these two methods could direct the choice of a suitable antibiotic therapy on the same day (Figure 1). In conclusion, molecular analysis of both identification and antibiotic susceptibility offers a faster alternative for pathogen detection and could improve the diagnosis of bloodstream infections.

The design of a straightforward one-day workflow scheme for bacterial pathogen diagnostics enables the rapid recognition of bloodstream infections. The inclusion of eight clinically relevant bacterial targets and their antibiotic resistance profiles offers the clinician an initial insight on the same day, which can lead to more adequate therapy.

Bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality rates because of the probable manifestation of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock1. ...

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

A structurally transformed lytic bacteriophage having a broad host range of Staphylococcus aureus strains and a penicillin-binding protein (PBP 2a) antibody conjugated latex beads have been utilized to create a biosensor designed for discrimination of methicillin resistant (MRSA) and sensitive (MSSA) S. aureus species 1,2. The lytic phages have been converted into phage spheroids by contact with water-chloroform interface. Phage spheroid monolayers have been moved onto a biosensor surface by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique 3. The created biosensors have been examined by a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation tracking (QCM-D) to evaluate bacteria-phage interactions. Bacteria-spheroid interactions led to reduced resonance frequency and a rise in dissipation energy for both MRSA and MSSA strains. After the bacterial binding, these sensors have been further exposed to the penicillin-binding protein antibody latex beads. Sensors analyzed with MRSA responded to PBP 2a antibody beads; although sensors inspected with MSSA gave no response. This experimental distinction determines an unambiguous discrimination between methicillin resistant and sensitive S. aureus strains. Equally bound and unbound bacteriophages suppress bacterial growth on surfaces and in water suspensions. Once lytic phages are changed into spheroids, they retain their strong lytic activity and show high bacterial capture capability. The phage and phage spheroids can be utilized for testing and sterilization of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. Other applications may include use in bacteriophage therapy and antimicrobial surfaces.

Lytic phage biosensors and antibody beads are able to discriminate between methicillin resistant (MRSA) and sensitive staphylococcus bacteria. The phages were immobilized by a Langmuir-Blodgett method onto a surface of a quartz crystal microbalance sensor and worked as broad range staphylococcus probes. Antibody beads recognize MRSA.

A structurally transformed lytic bacteriophage having a broad host range of Staphylococcus aureus strains and a penicillin-binding protein (PBP 2a) ...

Bioengineering

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing is a very important molecular tool for understanding the epidemiology and clonal strain relatedness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly with the emerging outbreaks of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) occurring on a worldwide basis. Traditional PCR typing schemes classify SCCmec by targeting and identifying the individual mec and ccr gene complex types, but require the use of many primer sets and multiple individual PCR experiments. We designed and published a simple multiplex PCR assay for quick-screening of major SCCmec types and subtypes I to V, and later updated it as new sequence information became available. This simple assay targets individual SCCmec types in a single reaction, is easy to interpret and has been extensively used worldwide. However, due to the sophisticated nature of the assay and the large number of primers present in the reaction, there is the potential for difficulties while adapting this assay to individual laboratories. To facilitate the process of establishing a MRSA SCCmec assay, here we demonstrate how to set up our multiplex PCR assay, and discuss some of the vital steps and procedural nuances that make it successful.

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

We demonstrate a simple multiplex PCR assay for quick-screening and typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) types I-V for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and provide some of the vital steps and procedural nuances that make it successful for adapting this assay to individual laboratories.

Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing  is a very important molecular tool for understanding the epidemiology and  clonal strain ...

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Although small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are widespread among the bacterial domain of life, the functions of many of them remain poorly characterized notably due to the difficulty of identifying their mRNA targets. Here, we described a modified protocol of the MS2-Affinity Purification coupled with RNA Sequencing (MAPS) technology, aiming to reveal all RNA partners of a specific sRNA in vivo. Broadly, the MS2 aptamer is fused to the 5&#8217; extremity of the sRNA of interest. This construct is then expressed in vivo, allowing the MS2-sRNA to interact with its cellular partners. After bacterial harvesting, cells are mechanically lysed. The crude extract is loaded into an amylose-based chromatography column previously coated with the MS2 protein fused to the maltose binding protein. This enables the specific capture of MS2-sRNA and interacting RNAs. After elution, co-purified RNAs are identified by high-throughput RNA sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis. The following protocol has been implemented in the Gram-positive human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and is, in principle, transposable to any Gram-positive bacteria. To sum up, MAPS technology constitutes an efficient method to deeply explore the regulatory network of a particular sRNA, offering a snapshot of its whole targetome. However, it is important to keep in mind that putative targets identified by MAPS still need to be validated by complementary experimental approaches.

MAPS technology has been developed to scrutinize the targetome of a specific regulatory RNA in vivo. The sRNA of interest is tagged with a MS2 aptamer enabling the co-purification of its RNA partners and their identification by RNA sequencing. This modified protocol is particularly suited for Gram-positive bacteria.&#160;

Although small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are widespread among the bacterial domain of life, the functions of many of them remain poorly characterized ...

Biochemistry

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

There are a number of rare and, therefore, insufficiently described bacterial pathogens which are reported to cause severe infections especially in immunocompromised patients. In most cases only few data, mostly published as case reports, are available which investigate the role of such pathogens as an infectious agent. Therefore, in order to clarify the pathogenic character of such microorganisms, it is necessary to conduct epidemiologic studies which include large numbers of these bacteria. The methods used in such a surveillance study have to meet the following criteria: the identification of the strains has to be accurate according to the valid nomenclature, they should be easy to handle (robustness), economical in routine diagnostics and they have to generate comparable results among different laboratories. Generally, there are three strategies for identifying bacterial strains in a routine setting: 1) phenotypic identification characterizing the biochemical and metabolic properties of the bacteria, 2) molecular techniques such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and 3) mass spectrometry as a novel proteome based approach. Since mass spectrometry and molecular approaches are the most promising tools for identifying a large variety of bacterial species, these two methods are described. Advances, limitations and potential problems when using these techniques are discussed.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and molecular techniques (16S rRNA gene sequencing) permit the identification of rare bacterial pathogens in routine diagnostics. The goal of this protocol lies in the combination of both techniques which leads to more accurate and reliable data.

There are a number of rare and, therefore, insufficiently described bacterial pathogens which are reported to cause severe infections especially in ...

Genome-wide Gene Deletions in Streptococcus sanguinis by High Throughput PCR

Transposon mutagenesis and single-gene deletion are two methods applied in genome-wide gene knockout in bacteria 1,2. Although transposon mutagenesis is less time consuming, less costly, and does not require completed genome information, there are two weaknesses in this method: (1) the possibility of a disparate mutants in the mixed mutant library that counter-selects mutants with decreased competition; and (2) the possibility of partial gene inactivation whereby genes do not entirely lose their function following the insertion of a transposon. Single-gene deletion analysis may compensate for the drawbacks associated with transposon mutagenesis. To improve the efficiency of genome-wide single gene deletion, we attempt to establish a high-throughput technique for genome-wide single gene deletion using Streptococcus sanguinis as a model organism. Each gene deletion construct in S. sanguinis genome is designed to comprise 1-kb upstream of the targeted gene, the aphA-3 gene, encoding kanamycin resistance protein, and 1-kb downstream of the targeted gene. Three sets of primers F1/R1, F2/R2, and F3/R3, respectively, are designed and synthesized in a 96-well plate format for PCR-amplifications of those three components of each deletion construct. Primers R1 and F3 contain 25-bp sequences that are complementary to regions of the aphA-3 gene at their 5' end. A large scale PCR amplification of the aphA-3 gene is performed once for creating all single-gene deletion constructs. The promoter of aphA-3 gene is initially excluded to minimize the potential polar effect of kanamycin cassette. To create the gene deletion constructs, high-throughput PCR amplification and purification are performed in a 96-well plate format. A linear recombinant PCR amplicon for each gene deletion will be made up through four PCR reactions using high-fidelity DNA polymerase. The initial exponential growth phase of S. sanguinis cultured in Todd Hewitt broth supplemented with 2.5% inactivated horse serum is used to increase competence for the transformation of PCR-recombinant constructs. Under this condition, up to 20% of S. sanguinis cells can be transformed using ~50 ng of DNA. Based on this approach, 2,048 mutants with single-gene deletion were ultimately obtained from the 2,270 genes in S. sanguinis excluding four gene ORFs contained entirely within other ORFs in S. sanguinis SK36 and 218 potential essential genes. The technique on creating gene deletion constructs is high throughput and could be easy to use in genome-wide single gene deletions for any transformable bacteria.

Genome-wide Gene Deletions in Streptococcus sanguinis by High Throughput PCR

An efficient genome-wide single gene mutation method has been established using Streptococcus sanguinis as a model organism. This method has achieved via high throughput recombinant PCRs and transformations.

Transposon  mutagenesis and single-gene deletion are two methods applied in genome-wide  gene knockout in bacteria 1,2. Although transposon mutagenesis is ...

Biology

Next-generation Sequencing of 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Amplicons

One of the major questions in microbial ecology is &#8220;who is there?&#8221; This question can be answered using various tools, but one of the long-lasting gold standards is to sequence 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicons generated by domain-level PCR reactions amplifying from genomic DNA. Traditionally, this was performed by cloning and Sanger (capillary electrophoresis) sequencing of PCR amplicons. The advent of next-generation sequencing has tremendously simplified and increased the sequencing depth for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The introduction of benchtop sequencers now allows small labs to perform their 16S rRNA sequencing in-house in a matter of days. Here, an approach for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing using a benchtop next-generation sequencer is detailed. The environmental DNA is first amplified by PCR using primers that contain sequencing adapters and barcodes. They are then coupled to spherical particles via emulsion PCR. The particles are loaded on a disposable chip and the chip is inserted in the sequencing machine after which the sequencing is performed. The sequences are retrieved in fastq format, filtered and the barcodes are used to establish the sample membership of the reads. The filtered and binned reads are then further analyzed using publically available tools. An example analysis where the reads were classified with a taxonomy-finding algorithm within the software package Mothur is given. The method outlined here is simple, inexpensive and straightforward and should help smaller labs to take advantage from the ongoing genomic revolution.

Characterizing microbial community has been a longstanding goal in environmental microbiology. Next-generation sequencing methods now allow for the characterization of microbial communities at an unprecedented depth with minimal cost and labor. We detail here our approach to sequence bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes using a benchtop sequencer.

One of the major questions in microbial ecology is &#8220;who is there?&#8221; This question can be answered using various tools, but one of the ...

Efficient Nucleic Acid Extraction and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for Bacterial Community Characterization

There is a growing appreciation for the role of microbial communities as critical modulators of human health and disease. High throughput sequencing technologies have allowed for the rapid and efficient characterization of bacterial communities using 16S rRNA gene sequencing from a variety of sources. Although readily available tools for 16S rRNA sequence analysis have standardized computational workflows, sample processing for DNA extraction remains a continued source of variability across studies. Here we describe an efficient, robust, and cost effective method for extracting nucleic acid from swabs. We also delineate downstream methods for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, including generation of sequencing libraries, data quality control, and sequence analysis. The workflow can accommodate multiple samples types, including stool and swabs collected from a variety of anatomical locations and host species. Additionally, recovered DNA and RNA can be separated and used for other applications, including whole genome sequencing or RNA-seq. The method described allows for a common processing approach for multiple sample types and accommodates downstream analysis of genomic, metagenomic and transcriptional information.

We describe an efficient, robust, and cost effective method for extracting nucleic acid from swabs for characterization of bacterial communities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The method allows for a common processing approach for multiple sample types and accommodates a number of downstream analytic processes.

There is a growing appreciation for the role of microbial communities as critical modulators of human health and disease. High throughput sequencing ...

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

The human gut is colonized by trillions of bacteria that support physiologic functions such as food metabolism, energy harvesting, and regulation of the immune system. Perturbation of the healthy gut microbiome has been suggested to play a role in the development of inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Environmental and genetic factors can influence the composition of the microbiome; therefore, identification of microbial communities linked with a disease phenotype has become the first step towards defining the microbiome&#8217;s role in health and disease. Use of 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing for profiling bacterial community has helped in advancing microbiome research. Despite its wide use, there is no uniform protocol for 16S rRNA-based taxonomic profiling analysis. Another limitation is the low resolution of taxonomic assignment due to technical difficulties such as smaller sequencing reads, as well as use of only forward (R1) reads in the final analysis due to low quality of reverse (R2) reads. There is need for a simplified method with high resolution to characterize bacterial diversity in a given biospecimen. Advancements in sequencing technology with the ability to sequence longer reads at high resolution have helped to overcome some of these challenges. Present sequencing technology combined with a publicly available metagenomic analysis pipeline such as R-based Divisive Amplicon Denoising Algorithm-2 (DADA2) has helped advance microbial profiling at high resolution, as DADA2 can assign sequence at the genus and species levels. Described here is a guide for performing bacterial profiling using two-step amplification of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, followed by analysis using freely available analysis tools (i.e., DADA2, Phyloseq, and METAGENassist). It is believed that this simple and complete workflow will serve as an excellent tool for researchers interested in performing microbiome profiling studies.

Described here is a simplified standard operating procedure for microbiome profiling using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing and analysis using freely available tools. This protocol will help researchers who are new to the microbiome field as well as those requiring updates on methods to achieve bacterial profiling at a higher resolution.

The human gut is colonized by trillions of bacteria that support physiologic functions such as food metabolism, energy harvesting, and regulation of the ...

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

Summary

Explore More Videos

Chapters in this video

Generation of a Gene-disrupted Streptococcus mutans Strain Without Gene Cloning

One-day Workflow Scheme for Bacterial Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Testing from Blood Cultures

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Genome-wide Gene Deletions in Streptococcus sanguinis by High Throughput PCR

Next-generation Sequencing of 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Amplicons

Efficient Nucleic Acid Extraction and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for Bacterial Community Characterization

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing