Nucleic acid probes and their uses for the detection of prevotella bivia

A method of detecting one or more bacteria selected from the group consisting of Prevotella bivia, F. vaginae, and Gardnerella, in a biological sample from a subject, the method comprising:

• a. contacting the biological sample with:
• i. a first nucleic acid probe comprising a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:
• 1;
• and/or
• ii. a second nucleic acid probe comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2 (CAGCATTACCACCCG), and/or
• iii. a third nucleic acid probe comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 3 (CGATGTGCGACTAAA);
• b. detecting the presence of a complex between the nucleic acid probe comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 1 and a Prevotella bivia nucleic acid, a complex between the nucleic acid probe comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and a Gardnerella nucleic acid;
• and/or a complex between the nucleic acid probe comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 3 and a F. vaginae nucleic acid.

A kit comprising:

• i. a nucleic acid probe comprising a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:
• 1,
• ii. a nucleic acid probe comprising a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:
• 2 (CAGCATTACCACCCG), and
• iii. a nucleic acid probe comprising a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:
• 3 (CGATGTGCGACTAAA).