Amoco Corporation

Vysis, Inc.

William G Weisburg

Dale A Pelletier

Susan M Barns

David J Lane

Raymond M Nietupski

Benjamin B Stone

Jyotsna S Shah

Jeffrey F Lemontt

Amelia Buharin

Mitchell L Sogin

Nucleic acids having approximately 10 to 250 nucleotides which are capable of hybridizing to rRNA and RDNA of mycoplasma etiological agents of nongonococcal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingiuis, and other infections due to mycoplasmas from the genital areas, , and

Nucleic acid probes for the detection of genital mycoplasmas

Nucleic acids having approximately 10 to 250 nucleotides which are capable of hybridizing to rRNA and rDNA of mycoplasma etiological agents of nongonococcal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingitis, and other infections due to mycoplasmas from the genital areas, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Nucleic acid probes for the detection for genital mycoplasmas

Nucleic acid sequences which preferentially bind to the rRNA or rDNA of microorganisms which cause the spoilage of beer are disclosed. The beer spoilage microorganisms are predominantly of the genera Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. The nucleic acids may be used as probes in assays to detect the presence of these microorganisms. Kits containing two or more probes are also described.

Methods for the detection of the bacterial agents causing spoilage of

Nucleic acid sequences which hybridize preferentially to the 16S or 23S rRNA or rDNA of Legionella sp., L. pneumophila, L. micdadei, a L. pneumophila, or a Legionella subset are taught. These organisms are the etiological agents of Legionnaires' disease, Pontiac fever, Pittsburgh pneumonia and other infections. The nucleic acids are useful in the detection of these pathogenic microorganisms. Probes based on these sequences and kits containing the probes are also disclosed.

Nucleic acid probes for the detection of bacteria of the genus

Nucleic acid probes are described for detecting the principle etiological agent of primary atypical pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or, optionally, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium. Said probes are complementary to ribonucleic acid sequences found in these mycoplasmas and absent from other mycoplasma, other bacterial, animal, or plant genomes. As such, these probes can detect the rRNA, rDNA, or polymerase chain reaction amplification products from these mycoplasma species. This set of probes, plus the described amplification primers, circumscribe a method for detecting the etiological agents of atypical pneumonia, and for making a clinical diagnosis of this disease. This set of probes also circumscribes a method for identification of these infectious agents in culture media enrichments inoculated from clinical samples.

Nucleic acid probes for the detection of mycoplasma pneumoniae and

Nucleic acid probes for the detection of bacteria of the genera

Nucleic acid probes are described for detecting bacteria capable of causing Lyme disease. These probes complement the ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequences unique to Borrelia spirochetes, and as such can detect the rRNA, rDNA, or polymerase chain reaction amplification products of these genes. These probes, plus the described amplification primers, can be used to detect the etiological agent of Lyme disease in human or veterinary samples, and for determining the infective potential of Ixodes ticks.

Nucleic acid probes for the detection of Lyme disease spirochetes

Nucleic acid probes are described for detecting yeasts capable of causing cryptococcosis, specifically Cryptococcus neoformans. The preferred probes are complementary to the ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequences unique to Cryptococcus neoformans, and as such can detect the rRNA, rDNA, or polymerase chain reaction amplification products of these genes. The detection of the etiological agent of human cryptococcosis, and tests for making a clinical diagnosis of this disease utilizing specific rRNA or rDNA probes are now possible.

Nucleic acid probes and methods for detecting cryptococcus neoformans

Nucleic acid probes are described for detecting yeasts capable of causing Candida infection, specifically yeasts of the genera Candida, Torulopsis, and Yarrowia. The preferred probes are complementary to ribonucleic acid sequences unique to specific Candida species, or groups of such species, and as such can detect the rRNA, rDNA, or polymerase chain reaction amplification products of these genes. Methods for detecting the etiological agent of human Candida fungemia utilizing these probes are also provided.

Nucleic acid probes and methods for detecting pathogenic candida yeasts

Nucleic acid probes capable of hybridizing to rRNA of eubacteria and not to rRNA of non-eubacteria are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the detection of eubacteria in clinical and other samples. Preferred embodiments include probes capable of distinguishing between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Universal eubacteria nucleic acid probes and assay methods

Nucleic acid probes are described for detecting fungi capable of causing fungal septicemia or capable of causing food spoilage. The preferred probes are complementary to ribonucleic acid sequences found in numerous fungi and absent in animal or plant genomes. As such, these probes can detect the rRNA, rDNA, or polymerase chain reaction amplification products from the majority of fungal species. The detection of etiological agents of human fungemia, the clinical diagnosis of this disease and the direct evaluation of food or beverage fungal content utilizing rRNA or rDNA probes is now possible.

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Milford, MA, United States of America

William G Weisburg