PCRmax Neisseria meningitidis Instruction Manual

Superoxide dismutase (sodC)
gene

Neisseria meningitidis

PCRmax Ltd qPCR test

TM

150 tests

For general laboratory and research use only

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Neisseria meningitidis is a non-motile, aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium of the
Neisseriaceae family and is a causative agent of meningitis and other meningococcal
diseases. There are 13 serotypes of this species and the genomes that have been wholly
sequenced are around 2.2Mbp in length, arranged as a single, circular chromosome.

This bacterium resides on mucosal membranes such as in the respiratory tract and can be
transmitted between hosts by infected saliva as aerosols. Pili facilitate attachment of the
bacterium to the host cell membrane, allowing the bacterium to grow by utilising host
provided salts, amino acids and iron. The iron is gained from heme in the blood and due to
this, infection sites are often seen in combination with an aggregation of blood cells. Once
the bacterium has entered the host blood stream, it can gain access to the meninges of the
brain resulting in inflammation. A polysaccharide capsule containing variable surface
protein allows the bacterium to evade phagocytosis by the host immune system. Another
virulence factor is the production of a lipopolysaccharide endotoxin which is upregulated
during the bacterial growth phase.

Infection usually begins with symptoms including fatigue, fever and headaches but rapidly
progresses to coma and in around 10% of cases, death. As soon as infection with this
bacterium is suspected, a course of antibiotics can be prescribed.

Introduction to Neisseria meningitidis

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MIN

MAX

The PCR Max qPCR Kit for Neisseria meningitidis (N.meningitidis) genomes is designed
for the in vitro quantification of N.meningitidis genomes. The kit is designed to have the
broadest detection profile possible whilst remaining specific to the N.meningitidis genome.

The primers and probe sequences in this kit have 100% homology with a broad range of
N.meningitidis sequences based on a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

If you require further information, or have a specific question about the detection profile of
this kit then please send an e.mail to [e-mail] and our bioinformatics team will
answer your question.

Specificity

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Kit Contents

• N.meningitidis specific primer/probe mix (150 reactions BROWN)

FAM labelled

• N.meningitidis positive control template (for Standard curve RED)

• Internal extraction control primer/probe mix (150 reactions BROWN)

VIC labelled as standard

• Internal extraction control DNA (150 reactions BLUE)

• Endogenous control primer/probe mix (150 reactions BROWN)

FAM labelled

• RNAse/DNAse free water (WHITE)

for resuspension of primer/probe mixes and internal extraction control DNA

• Template preparation buffer (YELLOW)

for resuspension of positive control template and standard curve preparation

Reagents and equipment to be supplied by the user

Real-Time PCR Instrument

DNA extraction kit

This kit designed to work well with all processes that yield high quality DNA with minimal
PCR inhibitors.

Lyophilised 2x qPCR Mastermix

This kit is designed to be compatible with all commercially available Mastermixes that run
with standard cycling conditions.

Pipettors and Tips

Vortex and centrifuge

Thin walled 1.5 ml PCR reaction tubes

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