Rapid identification of Aerococcus viridans using the polymerase chain reaction and an oligonucleotide probe.

A polymerase chain reaction/oligonucleotide probe method was developed for the specific identification of the Gram-positive bacterium Aerococcus viridans. Primers for the enzymatic amplification reaction were designed from specific sequences within the 16S rRNA. The method was also highly sensitive and 10 cfu of A. viridans could be detected in 5 h although the reliability of detection was poor in mixed cultures with Escherichia coli.