Specific identification of Bordetella pertussis by the polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify specific DNA regions of the Bordetella pertussis genome by the polymerase chain reaction. One pair of primers, PTp1/PTp2, identified a 191-bp DNA fragment located in the regulatory region of the pertussis toxin operon; a second pair of primers led to amplification of a 121-bp DNA piece located in an insertion-like element specific to B. pertussis. Both sets of primers were able to discriminate between the pathogen and related Bordetella species; they detected down to 6 bacteria and appeared suitable for routine detection of B. pertussis in clinical specimens.