종-특이 중합효소연쇄반응 프라이머를 이용한 Streptococcus mutans의 검출

Abstract

This study was undertaken to develop PCR primers for the identification and detection of Streptococcus mutans using species-specific forward and universal revers primers. These primers targeted the variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA coding gene (rDNA). The primer specificity was tested against 11 S. mutans strains and 10 different species (22 strains) of oral bacteria. The primer sensitivity was determined by testing serial dilutions of the purified genomic DNA of S. mutans ATCC 25175T. The data showed that species-specific amplicons were obtained from all the S. mutans strains tested, which was not observed in the other species. The direct and nested PCR could detect as little as 2 pg and 2 fg of the chromosomal DNA from S. mutans ATCC 25175T, respectively. This shows that the PCR primers are highly sensitive and applicable to the detection and identification of S. mutans.