Objectives: To establish a multiplex PCR to detect and differentiate the β-lactamase genes of Haemophilus influenzae. Methods: A collection of H. influenzae isolates with a range of different β-lactamase genes were tested in parallel with individual PCRs and the multiplex assay developed in this study. Results: The multiplex method was found to be superior to previous methods and was able to correctly detect and differentiate bla ROB-1 and the variants of blaTEM present in the strains tested, including a previously unrecognized variant associated with a 54 bp insertion in the promoter region. Conclusions: The multiplex PCR will be a useful tool for the surveillance of β-lactamase genes in H. influenzae. © 2006 Oxford University Press.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Medical microbiology
Research Field:	Medical bacteriology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Tristram, SG (Dr Stephen Tristram)
UTAS Author:	Nichols, S (Mr Scott Nichols)
ID Code:	39395
Year Published:	2006
Web of Science® Times Cited:	21
Deposited By:	Health Sciences A
Deposited On:	2006-08-01
Last Modified:	2007-04-04
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