# US 5,348,854 A · Method for detecting prokaryotic organisms

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,348,854 A
- Document ID: US5348854A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/021,551
- Filed: 1987-03-02
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1981-09-25
- Inventors: John A. Webster, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348854A

## CPC

- C12Q 1/683: involving restriction enzymes, e.g. restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP]
- C12Q 1/04: Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor {(C12Q1/6897 takes precedence)}
- C12Q 1/6888: for detection or identification of organisms
- C12Q 1/689: for bacteria
- Y10S 435/81: Packaged device or kit
- Y10S 436/804: Radioisotope, e.g. radioimmunoassay
- C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A method for detecting a prokaryotic organism while in the presence of or associated with a eukaryotic organism which comprises selectively hybridizing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences of the prokaryotic organism with a detectably labelled prokaryotic rRNA information-containing hybridization probe; and detecting the label on the probe.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for detecting a prokaryotic organism, which comprises:
selectively hybridizing a ribosomal sequence-containing nucleic acid of a prokaryotic organism which is in the presence of or associated with a eukaryotic organism in a sample, with a detectably labeled prokaryotic rRNA information-containing hybridization probe; and
detecting said label on said probe.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said rRNA information-containing probe is radiolabelled.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said rRNA information-containing probe is rRNA.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2)

The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said rRNA information-containing probe is DNA complementary to rRNA.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2)

The method of any of claim 1 or 2 wherein said rRNA information-containing probe is DNA obtained by nick translating or cloning DNA complementary to rRNA.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said prokaryotic organism being detected is a cell or cells of a prokaryotic strain in the presence of or associated with a medium comprising a eukaryotic cell or cells.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said prokaryotic organism is present in or associated with animal or plant cells.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein said prokaryotic organism is present in or associated with human cells.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 which also comprises the step of treating said sample with lysozyme.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1, 9)

The method of claim 1 or 9 which also comprises the step of treating said sample with sodium dodecyl sulfate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said rRNA information containing probe is part of a plasmid.

### Claim 12

A method for detecting a bacterium which comprises:
selectively hybridizing a ribosomal RNA sequence-containing nucleic acid of a bacterium present in a medium comprising eukaryotic cells with a detectably labeled prokaryotic rRNA information-containing hybridization probe; and
detecting said label on said probe.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein said rRNA information-containing probe is radiolabelled.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12, 13)

The method of claim 12 or 13 wherein said rRNA information-containing probe is rRNA.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12, 13)

The method of claim 12 or 13 wherein said rRNA information-containing probe is DNA complementary to rRNA.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein said bacterium is in the presence of or associated with eukaryotic tissue.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein said bacterium is present in or associated with animal or plant cells.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein said bacterium is present in or associated with human cells.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein said rRNA information containing probe is derived from a bacterial organism.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein said bacterial organism is Escherichia coli.