Rapid screening procedure for detection of plasmids in streptococci

Abstract

An enrichment procedure, yielding plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid preparations normally containing less than 5% chromosonal contamination, has been devised for the isolation of plasmids from virtually all species of streptococci. The procedure is rapid, reproducible, and inexpensive, requiring no radioisotopes or density grandient centrifugation. The procedure can be used for routine screening of several hundred isolates in a short period of time, and plasmids obtained from 10- to 20-ml cultures can readily be visualized in agarose gels.