Hybridization assay probes and methods for detecting the presence of Neisseria meningitidis subtypes A,C and L in a sample
First Claim
1. A hybridization assay probe for use in detecting the presence of Neisseria meningitidis in a sample, said probe comprising a base sequence region up to 100 bases in length which is able to form a detectable hybrid with a first target nucleic acid region present in nucleic acid from or derived from Neisseria meningitidis subtypes A, C and L and which is unable to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria gonorrhoeae under stringent hybridization assay conditions, wherein said first target region has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 11, SEQ ID NO. 15, SEQ ID NO. 25 and SEQ ID NO. 27.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses hybridization assay probes, amplification primers, nucleic acid compositions and methods useful for detecting Neisseria nucleic acids. Hybridization assay probes and amplification primers that selectively detect Neisseria meningitidis and distinguish those Neisseria meningitidis from Neisseria gonorrohoeae are disclosed. Other hybridization probes selectively detect Neisseria gonorrohoeae and not Neisseria meningitidis are also described.
38 Citations
41 Claims
- 1. A hybridization assay probe for use in detecting the presence of Neisseria meningitidis in a sample, said probe comprising a base sequence region up to 100 bases in length which is able to form a detectable hybrid with a first target nucleic acid region present in nucleic acid from or derived from Neisseria meningitidis subtypes A, C and L and which is unable to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria gonorrhoeae under stringent hybridization assay conditions, wherein said first target region has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 11, SEQ ID NO. 15, SEQ ID NO. 25 and SEQ ID NO. 27.
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20. A kit for use in detecting the presence of Neisseria meningitidis in a sample, said kit comprising:
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a hybridization assay probe comprising a base sequence region which is able to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria meningitidis subtypes A, C and L and which is unable to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria gonorrhoeae under stringent hybridization assay conditions, wherein the base sequence of said region is at least 80% homologous to the base sequence of a first sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 11, SEQ ID NO. 15, SEQ ID NO. 25 and SEQ ID NO. 27, and wherein said probe does not comprise any other base sequence region which is able to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria meningitidis subtype A, C or L or Neisseria gonorrhoeae under said conditions; and
at least one helper probe which is able to hybridize to nucleic acid from Neisseria meningitidis under stringent hybridization assay conditions, wherein the base sequence of said helper probe is at least 80% homologous to a the base sequence of a second sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 13, SEQ ID NO. 14, SEQ ID NO. 17, SEQ ID NO. 18, SEQ ID NO. 35, SEQ ID NO. 36, SEQ ID NO. 37 and SEQ ID NO. 38. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A kit for use in detecting the presence of Neisseria meningitidis in a sample, said kit comprising:
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a hybridization assay probe comprising a base sequence region which is able to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria meningitidis subtypes A, C and L and which is unable to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria gonorrhoeae under stringent hybridization assay conditions, wherein the base sequence of said region is at least 80% homologous to the base sequence of a first sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 11, SEQ ID NO. 15, SEQ ID NO. 25 and SEQ ID NO. 27, and wherein said probe does not comprise any other base sequence region which is able to form a detectable hybrid with nucleic acid from Neisseria meningitidis subtype A, C or L or Neisseria gonorrhoeae under said conditions; and
at least one amplification oligonucleotide which is able to bind to nucleic acid from Neisseria meningitidis under amplification conditions, said amplification oligonucleotide comprising a first base sequence which is at least 80% homologous to the base sequence of a second sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 7, SEQ ID NO. 9, SEQ ID NO. 43 and SEQ ID NO. 45, wherein the base sequence of said amplification oligonucleotide consists of said first base sequence and, optionally, a 5′
sequence which is recognized by an RNA polymerase or which enhances initiation or elongation by an RNA polymerase. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification