Rapid parallel detection of hygienically relevant microorganisms in water samples by PCR and specific hybridization in microtiter plates

A molecular biological test protocol for the parallel detection of enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in drinking water was developed. Amplicons labelled with digoxigenin during PCR were hybridized to specific 23S rDNA targeted oligonucleotide probes immobilized in microtiter plates. Detection was performed by addition of anti-digoxigenin-peroxidase-conjugate and chromogenic substrate. Specificity of the probes was evaluated by using pure cultures. First evaluation data with natural water samples in comparison to conventional microbiological analysis according to the German Drinking Water Regulation showed good agreement. Its feasible and rapid performance should be advantageous for use in routine drinking water quality control. Further comparative evaluation studies need to be undertaken to determine the true applicability for routine testing of water samples.     

一种基于量子点检测抗CCP抗体的免疫荧光层析法

抗环瓜氨酸多肽 (cyclic citrullinated peptide, CCP) 抗体是类风湿关节炎 (rheumatoid arthritis, RA) 早期诊断的重要生物标志物. 为了实现对RA的早期诊断,本研究建立了一种基于CdTe量子点标记技术检测抗CCP抗体的免疫荧光层析法. 将CCP多肽与小牛血清白蛋白 (bovine serum albumin, BSA) 连接,再将CCP-BSA和 羊抗鼠IgG分别在硝酸纤维素膜 (nitrocellulose membrane, NC膜) 上划线,作为检测线 (test line, T线) 和质控线 (control line, C线). 制备量子点并在量子点上标记鼠抗人IgG,喷在玻璃纤维上并烘干,最后组装大卡、切割并封装制成检测试纸条. 应用该试纸条检测了RA患者及健康人血清临床样本200份,以酶联免疫吸附 测定法 (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA) 为对照,计算免疫荧光层析法的检测灵敏度和特异性. 结果显示,建立的量子点免疫荧光层析试纸条检测抗 CCP抗体的灵敏度为97.5 %,特异性为95.8%. 该方法操作简单、快速,可实现床旁检测 (point-of-care testing, POCT),能应用于RA的早期诊断.     

Design and testing of ITS probes for distinguishing Phaeocystis species

Oligonucleotide probes provide rapid, easy identification of species difficult to identify by more traditional means, e.g. light microscopy. Phaeocystis is a difficult genus to identify as a unicell and thus presents a good candidate for probe development. Hybridisation using PCR products or cell lysates rather than whole cells as targets provides access to more highly variable regions of the genome, such as non-coding spacer regions of the ribosomal operon for detection of fine scale molecular variation not available in the coding regions. The ITS region is an excellent region of the genome to discriminate between Phaeocystis species. PCR amplified ITS-1 sequence from one Phaeocystis antarctica strain was labelled with digoxigenin and hybridised to total nucleic acids from 35 Phaeocystis strains, the prymnesiophyte Emiliania huxleyi, the diatom Cylindrotheca closterium, the rhodophyte Phycodrys austrogeorgia, the phaeophyte Desmarestia aculeata and the chlorophyte Acrosiphonia arcta. Strong signals were observed in all cold water species, i.e. Phaeocystis antarctica and Phaeocystis pouchetii, whereas other warm-water Phaeocystis spp. were not labelled or only weakly labelled with the ITS-1 probe. No hybridisations were observed in all other genera. A short oligonucleotide probe for all cold-water Phaeocystis spp. and for Phaeocystis pouchetii was designed from the ITS-1. Both probes were labelled with digoxigenin and tested in a dot blot analysis against PCR products from 23 Phaeocystis species. Only the two cold water species or Phaeocystis pouchetii were, respectively, labelled by their specific probe.     

Development and evaluation of an immunochromatographic strip for rapid detection of porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The incidence of PHE among pigs in many countries is on the rise, and it has caused great economic losses to the pig industry. Therefore, the development of a sensitive, specific, and easily-performed assay is crucial for the rapid detection and surveillance of PHE-CoV infection and transmission. RESULTS: An immunochromatographic strip was developed for the detection of PHE-CoV. The colloidal gold-labeled MAb 4D4 was used as the detection reagent, and the MAb 1E2 and goat anti-mouse IgG coated the strip's test and control lines, respectively. The immunochromatographic strip was capable of specifically detecting PHE-CoV with a HA unit of 2 within 10 min. Storage of the strips at room temperature for 6 months or at 4 [DEGREE SIGN]C for 12 months did not change their sensitivity or specificity. Using RT-PCR as a reference test, the relative specificity and sensitivity of the immunochromatographic strip were determined to be 100% and 97.78%, respectively. There was an excellent agreement between the results obtained by RT-PCR and the immunochromatographic strips (kappa = 0.976). Additionally, there was a strong agreement between the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunochromatographic strips (Kappa = 0.976). When the immunochromatographic strips were used for diagnosing PHE-CoV infection in the Jilin Province, the PHE-CoV-positive rate ranged from 61.54% in the Jilin district to 17.95% in the Songyuan district. CONCLUSIONS: Based on its high specificity, sensitivity, and stability, the immunochromatographic strip would be suitable for on-site detection of PHE-CoV for surveillance and epidemiological purposes.     

Development of a one-step immunochromatographic strip test using gold nanoparticles for the rapid detection of Salmonella typhi in human serum

An immunochromatographic strip test using gold nanoparticles was developed for the rapid detection of Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) in human serum. The strip test based on the principle of sandwich immunoassay by the specific binding of antigens from S. typhi O901 and antibody of S. typhi O901 on a nitrocellulose membrane. Antibody-gold nanoparticle conjugate was used as the label and was coated onto a glass fiber membrane, which was used as a conjugate pad. To create a test and control zone, antibody of S. typhi O901 and an anti-IgG were dotted on the nitrocellulose membrane, respectively. Positive samples were displayed as red dots at the test and control zones of the nitrocellulose membrane, while negative samples resulted in a red dot only in the control zone. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 1.14×10(5) cfu mL(-1), which could be visually detected by the naked eye within 15 min. This strip test provided a lower detection limit and analysis time than a dot blot immunoassay (8.88×10(6) cfu mL(-1) for LOD and 110 min for reaction time). In addition, our immunochromatographic strip test was employed to detect S. typhi in human serum effectively, with high accuracy. This strip test offers great promise for a rapid, simple and low-cost analysis of S. typhi.     

Detection of living <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> cells using bioluminescence

ATP-based bioluminescence using mutant firefly luciferase was combined with an immunochromatographic lateral flow test strip assay for Salmonella enteritidis detection. In this combination method, the Salmonella-antibody–gold complex captured at the test line on the test strip was lysed by heat-treatment, and the ATP released from the cells was measured using mutant luciferase. This method resulted in approximately 1,000 times higher sensitivity in the detection of Salmonella (i.e. 10³ c.f.u./ml) compared to immunochromatographic lateral flow assay.     

Comprehensive approaches to molecular biomarker discovery for detection and identification of Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) and Salmonella spp

Cronobacter spp. (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) and Salmonella spp. are increasingly implicated internationally as important microbiological contaminants in low-moisture food products, including powdered infant formula. Estimates indicate that 40 to 80% of infants infected with Cronobacter sakazakii and/or Salmonella in the United States may not survive the illness. A systematic approach, combining literature-based data mining, comparative genome analysis, and the direct sequencing of PCR products of specific biomarker genes, was used to construct an initial collection of genes to be targeted. These targeted genes, particularly genes encoding virulence factors and genes responsible for unique phenotypes, have the potential to function as biomarker genes for the identification and differentiation of Cronobacter spp. and Salmonella from other food-borne pathogens in low-moisture food products. In this paper, a total of 58 unique Salmonella gene clusters and 126 unique potential Cronobacter biomarkers and putative virulence factors were identified. A chitinase gene, a well-studied virulence factor in fungi, plants, and bacteria, was used to confirm this approach. We found that the chitinase gene has very low sequence variability and/or polymorphism among Cronobacter, Citrobacter, and Salmonella, while differing significantly in other food-borne pathogens, either by sequence blasting or experimental testing, including PCR amplification and direct sequencing. This computational analysis for Cronobacter and Salmonella biomarker identification and the preliminary laboratory studies are only a starting point; thus, PCR and array-based biomarker verification studies of these and other food-borne pathogens are currently being conducted.     

Development of an immunochromatographic test system for the detection of human epidermal growth factor

A method was developed for the rapid detection of human epidermal growth factor based on a sandwich-format immunochromatographic assay. The contact between the sample and the test strip with immobilized immunoreagents initiates the fluid flow movement across the membrane components of the test strip, immunochemical reactions, and the formation of colored lines. Requirements on the configuration of the test system in order to achieve the lowest limit of detection were defined in the course of the development of the assay. It was shown that this method enables the detection of human epidermal growth factor within 5 min at concentrations as low as 10 pg/mL in aqueous solutions, urine, and the blood serum and plasma. The developed test system can be used for point-of-care diagnostics.     

茄病镰刀菌单克隆抗体的制备及胶体金免疫层析试纸条的研发*

Objective: The cell lines secreting specific monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) were prepared by using Fusarium solani, one of the pathogenic fungi causing root rot of Fritillaria thunbergii, and the colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip based on McAbs was developed to provide scientific basis for detecting root rot of F. thunbergii. Methods: Hybridoma technology was used to obtain cell lines that could secrete specific McAbs against F. solani using the whole protein extract of F. solani as the antigen. The specificity, titer, sensitivity and binding protein of McAbs were detected by indirect ELISA and Western blot. Colloidal gold particles were prepared by trisodium citrate reduction method and McAbs were labeled to prepare colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip. Results: Three cell lines secreting specific McAbs against F. solani were obtained, which were named as FsA3, FsG6 and FsD4. The detection sensitivity of FsA3 was 24.41 ng / mL, and that of both FsG6 and FsD4 was 12.21 ng / mL. FsA3, FsG6 and FsD4 had strong reactions to F. solani, and had no cross-reaction to Alternaria tenuissima, A. alternata, Botrytis cinerea, F. equiseti, F. incarnatum, F. oxysporum, Phoma sp., and Phomopsis oblonga. The colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip based on FsG6 showed only a quality control line when detecting the tissue culture seedlings of F. thunbergii. When 100 ng F. solani antigen or the samples of F. thunbergii infested with root rot disease were detected, there were visible quality control lines and test lines. Conclusion: The specificity and sensitivity of the McAbs and test strip are sufficient to detect F. solani isolated from diseased strains of F. thunbergii, which provides the technical support for the rapid detection of root rot of F. thunbergii in the field.     

A simple and rapid colloidal gold-based immunochromatogarpic strip test for detection of FMDV serotype A

A sandwich format immunochromatographic assay for detecting foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotypes was developed. In this rapid test, affinity purified polyclonal antibodies from Guinea pigs which were immunized with sucking-mouse adapted FMD virus (A/AV88(L) strain) were conjugated to colloidal gold beads and used as the capture antibody, and affinity purified polyclonal antibodies from rabbits which were immunized with cell-culture adapted FMD virus (A/CHA/09 strain) were used as detector antibody. On the nitrocellulose membrane of the immunochromatographic strip, the capture antibody was laid on a sample pad, the detector antibody was printed at the test line(T) and goat anti-guinea pigs IgG antibodies were immobilized to the control line(C). The lower detection limit of the test for a FMDV 146S antigen is 11.7ng/ml as determined in serial tests after the strip device was assembled and the assay condition optimization. No cross reactions were found with FMDV serotype C, Swine vesicular disease (SVD), Vesicular stomatiti svirus (VSV) and vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VES) viral antigens with this rapid test. Clinically, the diagnostic sensitivity of this test for FMDV serotypes A was 88.7% which is as same as an indirect-sandwich ELISA. The specificity of this strip test was 98.2% and is comparable to the 98.7% obtained with indirect-sandwich ELISA. This rapid strip test is simple, easy and fast for clinical testing on field sites; no special instruments and skills are required, and the result can be obtained within 15 min. To our knowledge, this is the first rapid immunochromatogarpic assay for serotype A of FMDV.     

Development of a simple and rapid diagnosis method for swine edema disease to specifically detect Stx2e protein by immunochromatographic test

Edema disease in piglets is caused by Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e)‐producing Escherichia coli. However, there is currently no available Stx2e‐specific immunochromatographic test strip to differentiate Stx2e from other types of Shiga toxin 2. In the present study, to develop an Stx2e‐specific immunochromatographic test strip, we isolated nine different monoclonal antibody‐producing hybridoma clones from Stx2e toxoid‐immunized mice and confirmed that six antibodies were A subunit‐specific whereas three antibodies were B subunit‐specific. Only one A subunit‐specific monoclonal antibody (45B2) was cross‐reactive with prototype Stx2 (Stx2a) at the same sensitivity, but the remaining eight monoclonal antibodies were not. In immunochromatographic tests using the highly sensitive antibodies, test strips using some combinations of gold colloid‐conjugated monoclonal antibody with the B subunit‐specific monoclonal antibody on the membrane detected Stx2e, but not other types of Shiga toxin 2. These test strips had the ability to detect Stx2e in the culture supernatant of clinically isolated Stx2e gene‐positive strains, but not in those of Stx2e gene‐negative strains. These results indicate that our test strip is practical for the specific detection of Stx2e to diagnose swine edema disease.     

Production of monoclonal antibody against Listeria monocytogenes and its application to immunochromatography strip test

An immunochromatography (ICG) strip test based on a monoclonal antibody for the rapid detection of L. monocytogenes in meat and processed-meat samples was developed in this study. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific to L. monocytogenes was produced from cloned hybridoma cells (FKLM-3B12-37) and used to develop an ICG strip test. The antibody showed a stronger binding to L. monocytogenes than other Listeria species, and a weak cross-reaction to S. aureus based on an ELISA. The detection limit of the ICG strip test was 10(5) cell/ml. In total, 116 meat and processed-meat samples were collected and analyzed using both the ICG strip test and a PCR. The ICG strip test and PCR indicated L. monocytogenes contamination in 34 and 27 meat samples, respectively. The 7 meat samples not identified as L. monocytogenes positive by the PCR were also tested using an API kit and found to be contaminated by Listeria species. In conclusion, the ICG strip test results agreed well with those obtained using the PCR and API kit. Thus, the developed ICG has potential use as a primary screening tool for L. monocytogenes in various foods and agricultural products, generating results within 20 min without complicated steps.     

Dry reagent dipstick test combined with 23S rRNA PCR for molecular diagnosis of bacterial infection in arthroplasty

Periprosthetic joint infections present a challenging problem in orthopaedics. Conventional methods for detection of arthroplasty infections rely on bacterial culture of synovial fluid aspirates. During recent years, however, molecular tests that are based on DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by electrophoretic analysis of the products, have been introduced. We report a simple and inexpensive assay that allows visual detection and confirmation of the PCR-amplified sequences by hybridization within minutes. The assay is performed in a dry reagent dipstick format (strip) and does not require special instrumentation. Universal primers are used for PCR of the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. The biotinylated amplification product is hybridized with dA-tailed probes that are specific for six pathogens commonly involved in periprosthetic joint infections. The mixture is applied to the strip, which is then immersed in the appropriate buffer. The buffer migrates along the strip by capillary action and rehydrates gold nanoparticles with oligo(dT) strands attached to their surface. The nanoparticles bind to the target DNA through hybridization, and the hybrids are captured by immobilized streptavidin at the test zone of the strip, producing a characteristic red line. Unbound nanoparticles are captured by immobilized oligo(dT) strands at the control zone of the strip, generating a second line. The dipstick test was applied to the detection of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faesium, and Haemophilus influenza. Twelve samples of synovial fluids from patients were analyzed for the detection and identification of the infection caused by the six pathogens. The results were compared with bacterial cultures.     

Rapid detection of glycyrrhizin by immunochromatographic assay

An immunochromatographic assay was developed for detecting glycyrrhizin (1). The qualitative assay is based on a competitive immunoassay using anti-1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) and a detector reagent that contains colloidal gold particles coated with anti-1 MAb. The immunochromatographic strip test, which has a detection limit of 250 ng/mL, is useful as a rapid screening method for detecting glycyrrhizin in plants, biological fluids and food samples.     

Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish using polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Aims: This study evaluated the application of polymerase chain reaction–enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (PCR‐ELISA) for the detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish. Methods and Results: The PCRs were selected to amplify a species‐specific sequence region. In particular, internal tl biotin‐labelled oligonucleotide probe was used to capture the DIG‐labelled PCR products. Next, the probe PCR product hybrids, immobilized on a streptavidin‐coated microtiter plate, were detected with peroxidase‐conjugated anti‐digoxigenin antibody (anti‐DIG‐POD) and the colorimetric peroxidase substrate ABTS [2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)] using an ELISA plate reader. Conclusions: The PCR‐ELISA system described is a feasible, sensitive method for the direct and specific detection of V. parahaemolyticus in shellfish samples. Compared with gel‐based detection methods, PCR‐ELISA in this study increased sensitivity by 100‐fold for V. parahaemolyticus. Significance and Impact of the Study: The PCR‐ELISA described may be used for potential rapid detection in routine shellfish analysis for the seafood industry. The sector requires simultaneous large‐scale sample screenings to monitor contamination levels in processing plants and evaluate the performance of the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system. PCR‐ELISA also proved to be economical, with a cost of about 9 Euros per sample, and the quick assay taking 8 h to complete starting from DNA extraction.     

添加有扩增内标的副溶血弧菌PCR检测方法

【目的】发掘副溶血弧菌特异性更强的检测靶点,并人工构建扩增内标,建立可以有效避免假阴性的新PCR检测体系。【方法】利用生物信息学方法,从副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)基因组DNA中发掘特异性很高的序列,并设计相应的特异性引物,人工构建扩增内标,建立PCR检测体系。【结果】本研究发掘得到的序列vp1332特异性很强,经检索,该序列是编码ABC转运子接合蛋白组分的基因片段,根据此序列设计一对特异检测引物(vp1332L/vp1332R),同时,构建了扩增内标,并建立了PCR检测体系。利用该体系对296株副溶血弧菌和33株非副溶血弧菌进行检测,结果显示,所有以副溶血弧菌为模板的PCR反应均可扩增到一条343bp的特异片段,而模板来源于非副溶血弧菌的则只能扩增到一条499bp的扩增内标片段。灵敏度实验表明,该PCR反应体系的检测灵敏度为1.6×102cfu/mL。人工污染实验表明,起始染菌量为1.24cfu/25g样品时经8h增菌,即可检测到副溶血弧菌。实际样品检测结果也证实该方法的有效性。【结论】本研究建立的PCR反应体系能特异地检测副溶血弧菌,并可有效地排除假阴性,提高检测准确率。     

A Comparison of Digoxigenin and Biotin Labelled DNA and RNA Probes for in Situ Hybridization

A number of in situ hybridization protocols using digoxigenin or biotin labelled probes were assessed for viral nucleic acid detection in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue. Single-step detection protocols for biotin labelled probes produced low sensitivity; however, enzyme based one-step detection protocols for digoxigenin probes produced high sensitivity for both RNA and DNA systems. For both probe types, multistep detection protocols produced equally high sensitivity. Use of an enhanced APAAP procedure for digoxigenin labelled probes acheived maximal sensitivity without use of biotin-streptavidin reactions. The sensitivity of nucleic acid detection obtained with a digoxigenin labelled probe is comparable to that obtained using biotin. Digoxigenin labelled probes for nucleic acid detection are recommended for tissues with endogenous biotin.