Detection of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 gene in Staphylococcus aureus bovine isolates and bulk milk by the polymerase chain reaction.

Staphylococcus aureus isolates from mastitic cow's milk and farm bulk milk were examined for toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) gene (tst gene) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 179 bp band of tst gene was observed in almost all the bovine isolates which showed TSST positive in a latex agglutination, as well as in human strain FRI 1169, but was not observed in bovine isolates of TSST negative. The lowest detectable threshold of the PCR for tst gene was 1.2 x 10(3) cells/ml. When 125 bovine milk samples were cultured selectively for staphylococci and examined by PCR, the tst gene was detected in 10 of the 35 culture fluids, in which staphylococci were recognized by Gram's staining.