Development of a 16S rRNA primer for the detection of Brevibacterium spp.

AIM: To develop a PCR method for the rapid identification of the genus Brevibacterium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genus-specific primers were designed by aligning and comparing the 16S sequence of all Brevibacterium spp. with closely related genera. The primer set was tested with all validly described Brevibacterium spp. and their closest neighbours. SIGNIFICANCE: Until today brevibacteria could only be identified with laborious and time-consuming phenotypic characterization. The primer from this study offers a rapid alternative to the detection of Brevibacterium spp. Brevibacteria have been isolated from food, blood, ear discharge, from a wound and from an intravascular catheter.