PCR for detection and identification of Abiotrophia spp.

Members of the genus Abiotrophia, formerly known as nutritionally variant streptococci, are important pathogens causing septicemia and endocarditis. Cultivation and biochemical differentiation of Abiotrophia spp. are often difficult. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, two PCR assays for detection and identification of Abiotrophia spp. were developed. The first PCR assay was positive for all Abiotrophia spp. Subsequently performed restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis allowed the verification of the PCR amplicons and the differentiation of the three species. The second PCR assay was positive only for A. elegans, the most fastidious species of Abiotrophia. Both PCR assays were shown to be specific and sensitive and should facilitate the identification of Abiotrophia spp.