Harnessing efficient multiplex PCR methods to detect the expanding Tet(X) family of tigecycline resistance genes

A growing number of tet(X)-type tigecycline resistance determinants [tet(X1) to tet(X5)] constitutes an expanding family of tetracycline-inactivating enzymes, posing a potential risk to global public health. Here, we report the development of an efficient multiplex PCR method to detect the family of tet(X) variants. This method is successfully applied in the screen and validation of tet(X) genes in the field and clinic bacterial samples. In addition, we found that the formerly proposed tet(X1) is a premature truncated version by the inappropriate annotation, and fixed this error. Overall, it might be the first genetic tool for the detection of different Tet(X) members.