avian & livestock assay data sheet
Streptococcus
Test
code:
B0098 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of Streptococcus
beta hemolytic groups B/C/G and Strep
pneumoniae, by real time PCR. This assay is
usually used to test cell cultures and for other
in vitro applications, because clinical
and environmental samples are often positive due
to the near-ubiquity of these strains.
The genus Streptococcus can be
taxonomically divided into six major clusters
comprising at least 31 species; the following
table lists some of the species classified in
these clusters:
Pyogenic group:
S.
agalactiae, S. canis, S. dysgalactiae, S. equi,
S. iniae, S. porcinus, S. pyogenes
Bovis group:
S. bovis,
S. equinus, S. alactolyticus
Salivarius group:
S.
salivarius, S. thermophilus, S. vestibularis
Mutans group:
S.
cricetus, S. downei, S. mutans, S. sobrinus
Anginosus group (aka Milleri
group): S.
anginosus, S. constellatus, S. intermedius
Mitis group:
S. mitis,
S. oralis, S. pneumoniae, S. sanguis, S.
parasanguis, S. gordonii.
No single classification system adequately differentiates this
heterogeneous group of organisms. Instead,
classification depends on a combination of
phenotypic biochemical and genetic
characteristics, such as patterns of hemolysis
observed on blood agar plates, antigenic
composition, growth characteristics, biochemical
reactions, and genetic analysis (Poyart et al.,
1998).
In clinical laboratories, the current means of identification of
streptococci relies on phenotypic tests such as
those developed for the API ID 32 Strep system.
However, not all strains within a given species
may be positive for a common trait, and the same
strain may exhibit some biochemical variability.
Moreover, small alterations in the performance
of one of these tests may yield false results.
Thus phenotypic test results can be equivocal
for identification of certain streptococcal
species, in particular, those belonging to the
Milleri, Mutans, and Mitis groups.
Utilities:
-
Shorten the time required to confirm identification of
Streptococcus
infection.
-
Help ensure that facilities are free of these
Streptococcus strains
-
Early prevention of spread of
Streptococcus in a facility
-
Minimize personnel exposure to these bacteria
-
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines
References:
Poyart, C., Quesne, G.,
Coulon, S.,
Berche, P. and Trieu-cuot, P. (1998)
Identification of Streptococci to species level
by sequencing the gene encoding the
manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase. J.
Clin. Microbiol. 36:41-47.
Specimen requirements:
0.2 ml culture, or 0.2 ml EDTA whole blood, or nasopharyngeal swab, or
0.1 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all specimen types, if there will be a delay
in shipping, or during very warm weather,
refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship
with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping
requirements are specified. Frozen specimens
should be shipped so as to remain frozen in
transit. See shipping
instructions for more information.
Turnaround time:
2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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