PCR single strand conformational polymorphism can be used to detect the gene encoding SHV-7 extended-spectrum β-lactamase and to identify different SHV genes within the same strain

Abstract

The PCR single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique described to identify mutants of the SHV β-lactamases was extended to identify an SHV-7 type β-lactamase. This was found in a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae, the first recorded isolate in the UK to produce this type of enzyme. We also demonstrate that PCR-SSCP can be used to identify more than one SHV β-lactamase gene in a single strain.