Streptococcus agalactiae (also known as Group B hemolytic Streptococcus or GBS) is a gram-positive bacteria that is part of normal human flora. However, GBS can cause opportunistic infections in the elderly and in newborns. Given the severity of these infections, reliable and rapid screening methods are essential. The CycleavePCR Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) Detection Kit is designed for rapid detection of GBS through PCR amplification of the histidine kinase-encoding gene, dltS. In addition, particular capsular types of GBS are associated with severe sepsis and meningitis in newborns. The CycleavePCR GBS Capsular Typing Kit (Cat. # CY234) is designed for rapid and accurate capsular typing through detection of the cps gene that encodes the capsular type. This kit can be used to identify GBS capsular types Ia, Ib, and III.

These kits detect amplification products via Cycling Probe Technology, a highly sensitive detection method based on the combined use of a RNA-DNA chimeric probe and RNase H. One end of the probe is labeled with a fluorescent moiety and the other end with a quencher. When intact, this probe does not emit fluorescence due to the action of the quencher. However, when it forms a hybrid with the complementary sequence of an amplification product, RNaseH cleaves the RNA portion of the chimeric probe, resulting in strong fluorescent signal emission. The amount of amplified product can be monitored in real time by measuring the intensity of emitted fluorescence.

This kit contains a FAM-labeled probe for detecting the GBS dltS gene target, and a ROX-labeled probe for detecting an internal control. By simultaneously monitoring two wavelengths, dltS gene detection and false negative monitoring can be achieved in a single tube.