A multiplex PCR for β-lactamase genes of Haemophilus influenzae and description of a new blaTEM promoter variant

Objectives: To establish a multiplex PCR to detect and differentiate the β-lactamase genes of Haemophilus influenzae. Methods: A collection of H. influenzae isolates with a range of different β-lactamase genes were tested in parallel with individual PCRs and the multiplex assay developed in this study. Results: The multiplex method was found to be superior to previous methods and was able to correctly detect and differentiate bla ROB-1 and the variants of blaTEM present in the strains tested, including a previously unrecognized variant associated with a 54 bp insertion in the promoter region. Conclusions: The multiplex PCR will be a useful tool for the surveillance of β-lactamase genes in H. influenzae. © 2006 Oxford University Press.