A combined PCR and selective enrichment method for rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes.
Development of a routine detection assay for Listeria monocytogenes in foods that uses the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enrichment cultures was investigated. Oligonucleotide primers were chosen to amplify a 3' region of L. monocytogenes hlyA gene spanning a conserved HindIII site. PCR detection sensitivity for L. monocytogenes in dilutions of pure enrichment cultures was between 50 and 500 colony forming units. A short enrichment period before PCR amplification allowed detection of the organisms in a range of complex foods contaminated with 10(4) cfu/g. Detection sensitivity for the assay in the presence of chicken skin and soft cheese was determined at 10-100 cfu/g. Utilization of enrichment cultures and PCR allowed identification of the organism within 24 h or 2 days.
Fitter
S
S
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Heuzenroeder
M
M
Thomas
C J
CJ
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001483:Base Sequence; D002611:Cheese / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011202:Poultry Products / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial