How to test for staphylococcus enterotoxin?

Enterotoxins can be detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, chemiluminescence, or reversed passive latex agglutination tests. Although these conventional methods have acceptable sensitivities, most of them are time consuming; hence, more rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods are required (9-12).

Can you detect mismatches via gel electrophoresis?

Detection of mutations in double-stranded DNA by gel electrophoresis is based on the assumption that a single-base mismatch can produce conformational changes such as a bend in the double helix that causes differential migration of heteroduplexes and homoduplexes (19–25).

How accurate is gel electrophoresis?

However, the assay is not reliable with fragments of greater than about 200 bp, and the sensitivity is estimated to range from about 60% to 95% (3, 4, 6–8).

What are mismatches in PCR?

A method for detection of a point mutation that neither produces nor destroys a restriction site; intended especially for screening large numbers of individuals.

How do you identify PCR products?

The simplest and commonly used technique is electrophoresis of the PCR product on an agarose gel with EtBr (ethidium bromide). EtBr is a fluorescent dye that intercalates into the DNA. Size markers can be electrophoresed on the gel to allow size determination of the PCR product.

What can go wrong with gel electrophoresis?

Problems with the Gel, Current and Buffer If the concentration is too high or too low, the fragments will migrate either too slowly or too quickly. This will lead to errors in resolving the different bands. During the electrophoresis run, care must be taken to ensure that the voltage is steady.

What are limitations of using gel electrophoresis?

The disadvantages are that gels can melt during electrophoresis, the buffer can become exhausted, and different forms of genetic material may run in unpredictable forms.

What part of the body does enterotoxin affect?

Enterotoxins have a particularly marked effect upon the gastrointestinal tract, causing traveler’s diarrhea and food poisoning. The action of enterotoxins leads to increased chloride ion permeability of the apical membrane of intestinal mucosal cells.

What do Superantigens do?

Superantigens (SAgs) are a class of antigens that result in excessive activation of the immune system. Specifically it causes non-specific activation of T-cells resulting in polyclonal T cell activation and massive cytokine release.