NUCLEIC ACID MOLECULES SPECIFIC FOR BACTERIAL ANTIGENS AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules derived from: a gene encoding a transferase; or a gene encoding an enzyme for the transport or processing of a polysaccharide or oligosaccharide unit, including a wzx gene or a wzy gene, or a gene with a similar function; the gene being involved in the synthesis of a particular bacterial polysaccharide antigen, wherein the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is specific to the particular bacterial polysaccharide antigen. Polysaccharides to which the invention relates include O antigens. The invention also relates to methods of testing samples for the presence of one or more bacterial polysaccharide antigens, using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, and to kits containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention.