Abstract:ObjectiveTo develop a multiplex touchdown PCR for simultaneous detection of extendedspectrum βlactamases (ESBLs)producing Enterobacteriaceae and methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).MethodsBlood culture positive specimens from 102 hospitalized patients were collected between March 2013 and September 2014, four pairs of specific primers were designed based on SHV,TEM, and OXA genes of ESBLsproducing Enterobacteriaceae and MecA gene of MRSA, drugresistant genes were amplified with single touchdown PCR and multiplex touchdown PCR, the results were compared with KirbyBauer disk diffusion method.ResultsEach single PCR amplified a specific band, four drugresistant genes were also detected by multiplex touchdown PCR;the lower detection limits of multiplex touchdown PCR for DNA of MecA,SHV, TEM, and OXA were 4.37 ng, 2.19 ng, 4.53 ng, and 3.59 ng, respectively. Compared with KirbyBauer disk diffusion method, the overall sensitivity and specificity of multiplex touchdown PCR were 100.00% and 88.24% respectively, for ESBLs were 100.00% and 87.23% respectively,for MRSA were both 100.00%.ConclusionA higher sensitivity and specificity multiple touchdown PCR assay has been developed, and it can be used in the rapid diagnosis and epidemiology investigation of bloodstream infection caused by ESBLsproducing Enterobacteriaceae and MRSA, and is helpful for guiding antimicrobial use in clinic.