Rapid method for epidemiological evaluation of gram-positive cocci by field inversion gel electrophoresis.

We report a rapid method for the isolation of intact chromosomal DNA from gram-positive cocci that is suitable for in situ restriction endonuclease digestion in agarose blocks. When combined with a rapid field inversion gel electrophoresis protocol, this approach allows the preparation and electrophoretic analysis of chromosomal restriction fragments produced by rare-cutting enzymes in a total time period of 2 days from start to finish. The utility of the method is demonstrated in the epidemiological evaluation of Staphylococcus epidermidis clusters from two hospitals as well as of additional representative staphylococci and enterococci.