A comparison of immunomagnetic and surface adhesion immunofluorescent techniques for the rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua in meat

an immunomagnetic immunofluorescent method was investigated for the rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innouca . This technique involved enrichment of the suspect sample at 30°C overnight. Listeria monocytogenes cells were isolated from the enriched sample using immunomagnetic separation and Listeria were subsequently visualized using an immunofluorescent microscopy technique. This technique was used in the detection of Listeria cells from pure culture, inoculated beef mince samples and naturally contaminated retail beef mince samples. A detection level of approximately 1×10³ cfu ml⁻¹ was achieved. When compared with traditional detection methods no false negatives or positives were recorded for L. monocytogenes or L. innocua . The immunomagnetic immunofluorescent technique had a detection level similar to a previously described surface adhesion immunofluorescent technique. Isolation of the Listeria cells by surface adhesion involved dipping a membrane attached to a microscope slide into the enriched sample for 10 min. This was quicker and simpler to perform than the immunomagnetic separation technique which took 2 h to carry out.     

Development of a surface adhesion immunofluorescent technique for the rapid isolation of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua from meat

The use of a novel surface adhesion technique to isolate Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua from an enrichment meat system was developed. Minced beef samples inoculated with L. monocytogenes (10 cfu g(-1)) were incubated at 30 degrees C for 14-18 h in a suitable enrichment broth. Listeria monocytogenes cells were isolated from the enriched meat sample by surface adhesion onto a polycarbonate membrane which was attached to a glass microscope slide. The Listeria cells on the membrane were subsequently visualized using an immunofluorescent microscopy procedure. The antibody used in this technique reacts with L. monocytogenes and L. innocua. The technique was demonstrated to have a detection level of log10 3.11 cfu ml(-1). There was excellent correlation (r2 = 0.98) between the counts obtained by this surface adhesion immunofluorescent (SAIF) technique and counts obtained using traditional methods, i.e. plate counts on PALCAM. When the regression equation relating the rapid and standard methods was validated using the data from 50 retail beef mince samples, an rsd value of +/- 0.25 was obtained. No false-negative or false-positive results were recorded for L. monocytogenes or L. innocua species using the SAIF technique.     

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 hly A gene spanning a conserved Hin dIII 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 10⁴ 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.     

Limitation in the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food in the presence of competing Listeria innocua

Aims: Detectability of Listeria monocytogenes at 10⁰ CFU per food sample in the presence of Listeria innocua using standard microbiological detection was evaluated and compared with the real‐time PCR‐based method. Methods and Results: Enrichment in half‐Fraser broth followed by subculture in Fraser broth according to EN ISO 11290‐1 was used. False‐negative detection of 10⁰ CFU L. monocytogenes was obtained in the presence of 10¹ CFU L. innocua per sample using the standard detection method in contrast to more than 10⁵ CFU L. innocua per sample using real‐time PCR. Identification of L. monocytogenes on the chromogenic medium by the standard procedure was impossible if L. innocua was able to overgrow L. monocytogenes by more than three orders of magnitude after the enrichment in model samples. These results were confirmed using naturally contaminated food samples. Conclusions: Standard microbiological method was insufficient for the reliable detection of 10⁰ CFU L. monocytogenes in the presence of more than 10⁰ CFU of L. innocua per sample. On the other hand, if the growth of L. monocytogenes was sufficient to reach the concentration equal to the detection limit of PCR, the amount of the other microflora present in the food sample including L. innocua was not relevant for success of the PCR detection of L. monocytogenes. Significance and Impact of the Study: After the enrichment, the PCR detection is more convenient than the standard one as PCR detection is not compromised by other present microflora.     

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.     

Comparison of the genome sequences of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua: clues for evolution and pathogenicity

Listeria monocytogenes, an invasive opportunistic, food-borne pathogen, remains one of the leading causes of mortality from food-borne infections. The recently determined complete genome sequences of L. monocytogenes strain EGDe and of that of the closely related non-pathogenic species Listeria innocua strain CLIP11262 enhance our knowledge of the genetic basis of the virulence of L. monocytogenes and advance our understanding of the evolution of these Listeria species. Both genomes encode a high number of surface, transport and regulatory proteins. Comparison of the genome organisation revealed a perfect synteny between the two Listeria genomes. Comparison with other closely related bacteria also showed a high conservation in genome organisation among the Listeria, Staphylococcus and Bacillus group of low G+C content bacteria. Distinct G+C content of a number of strain-specific genes suggests intensive lateral gene transfer. The identification of a 55-kb locus encoding proteins with high homology to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium vitamin B(12) synthesis proteins as well as those necessary for degradation of ethanolamine and propanediol further indicates acquisition of a complete metabolic pathway by horizontal gene transfer and a probable role of this locus in anaerobic growth in the host.     

Evaluation of selective and non-selective enrichment PCR procedures for Salmonella detection

AIMS: To compare PCR combined with enrichment media with the standard microbiological techniques (SMT) and to determine the most sensitive method for the detection of Salmonella and the identification of Salm. typhimurium (ST), Salm. enteritidis (SE), Salm. gallinarum (SG) and Salm. pullorum (SP). METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed 87 samples from poultry using PCR and SMT, PCR being performed from non-selective (NS) and Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) media. PCR-NS was less sensitive than PCR-RV and SMT for the detection and identification of Salmonella. PCR-RV detected more positive samples of Salmonella sp. than SMT but both these methods showed similar sensitivity regarding the identification of Salmonella serovars. CONCLUSIONS: PCR-RV was more sensitive and decreased the time necessary to detect and identify Salmonella. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: PCR-RV is a powerful tool for the rapid and accurate detection and identification of Salmonella and can be implemented in diagnostic and food analysis laboratories.     

Comparison of selective enrichment media for the detection of Salmonella in poultry faeces

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the results of semisolid media and Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) medium for the detection of Salmonella in faecal samples from broiler and layer flocks. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three different selective enrichment media were used: (a) RV medium; (b) diagnostic semisolid Salmonella medium (DIASALM) and (c) modified semisolid RV (MSRV) medium. The performance of DIASALM and MSRV was significantly better compared with RV. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that approximately 95% of the samples containing Salmonella would be detected by a combination of a semisolid medium (MSRV or DIASALM) and RV. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The International Standard method ISO 6579, including RV and selenite cystine broth as selective enrichment media, is most frequently used for the isolation of Salmonella from poultry faeces. This study reveals that there are more suitable combinations of selective enrichment media.     

Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua by hexanoic and octanoic acids

Hexanoic acid and octanoic acid inhibited growth of 10 strains of Listeria monocytogenes and two strains of L. innocua at pH 5·0 and pH 5·5 and 20°C. Octanoic acid was more inhibitory than hexanoic acid and both were more inhibitory at pH 5·0 than at pH 5·5. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were comparable with the concentrations of these acids that have been reported in Danish Blue cheese, where they were probably formed by the metabolism of Penicillium roquefortii . Thus hexanoic and octanoic acids may contribute to the inhibition of listerias in some cheeses.     

Monoclonal antibody specific for Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, and Listeria welshimeri

Eight hundred fifty-nine murine hybridomas were produced from eight fusions, and 27 were characterized for secretion of antibodies reactive to Listeria monocytogenes. One monoclonal antibody (MAb), P5C9, reacted with all test strains of L. monocytogenes (31 of 31), L. innocua (3 of 3), and L. welshimeri (1 of 1) but not with any strains of the other four Listeria species or with any of 22 gram-positive or 11 gram-negative species of bacteria when tested in microtiter and dot blot enzyme immunoassays. Of the other 26 antibodies, 20 reacted with either L. monocytogenes Scott A or V7 and with some or all of the other six Listeria species but also cross-reacted with some or all of the non-Listeria bacteria tested. MAb P5C9 is of the immunoglobulin G1 murine subclass. In Western blot (immunoblot) analyses, this MAb reacted with a single antigen with a molecular weight of 18,500, and it is shared in common with all three reactive species, L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, and L. welshimeri. This antigen was extracted with detergent and appeared to be cell bound.     

Inhibitory effects of enrichment media on the Accuprobe test for Listeria monocytogenes.

During an evaluation of the Accuprobe kit for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes, some of the enrichment media used were found to interfere with the test. Microscopic examination during the lysis step of the test revealed that media containing high salt greatly reduced or prevented cell lysis. This prevented the probe from binding to the cellular RNA, resulting in false-negative results.     

Relationship between the culturability of stressed Listeria monocytogenes cells in non-selective and selective culture media and the cellular esterase activity measured by solid phase cytometry

Solid phase cytometry in conjunction with fluorescent probe was applied to rapidly quantify cellular esterase activity of Listeria monocytogenes cells. Viability of cells stressed by several treatments (starvation, NaCl, lactic acid and peracetic acid) was assessed simultaneously by their esterase activity estimated by fluorescence intensity and by their ability to multiply in liquid and solid, non-selective and selective, culture media. It was determined that cell physiological state has a significant impact on the cellular fluorescence intensity which was very dependent on the stress suffered by cells. No general relationship was observed between the bacterial populations observed by cytometry and the populations able to grow on culture media. The link between the cell culturability in non-selective and selective media and the esterase activity was always dependent on the stress suffered. Nevertheless, it was also established that solid phase cytometry is an efficient, sensitive and accurate tool to characterize the ability of non-selective and selective enrichment broths to allow the repair of stressed L. monocytogenes cells by examining the increase in the fraction of the most esterase active cells during the course of resuscitation.     

Differential expression of InlB and ActA in Listeria monocytogenes in selective and nonselective enrichment broths

Aim: To investigate the effect of selective and nonselective media on the expression of ActA and InlB proteins in Listeria monocytogenes. Methods and Results: Polyclonal antibodies to InlB and ActA were used in western blotting to determine the effect of selective (BLEB, UVM, and FB) or nonselective (BHI and LB) enrichment broths or hotdog exudates. Of the 13 L. monocytogenes serotypes tested, 11 and 12 serotypes showed a strong InlB expression in brain heart infusion (BHI) and Luria‐Bertani (LB), respectively, while only seven and one serotypes showed a strong ActA expression in these two respective broths, and others showed a weaker or no expression. On the contrary, in selective broths, expression of InlB was either very weak or undetectable. However, ActA expression was stronger in 12 serotypes when grown in buffered Listeria enrichment broth (BLEB), 11 in University of Vermont medium (UVM), and 10 in Fraser broth (FB). When tested in hotdog exudates, InlB and ActA were detected in serotypes grown at 37°C but not at 4°C. Transmission electron microscopy, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA analysis further supported these observations. Conclusion: Overall, selective enrichment broths promote ActA while nonselective broths promote InlB expression. Significance and Impact of the study: As commonly recommended enrichment broths show differential InlB and ActA expression, proper media must be selected to avoid false results during antibody‐based detection of L. monocytogenes.     

Rapid quantitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes in meat products by real-time PCR

We describe a quick and simple method for the quantitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes in meat products. This method is based on filtration, Chelex-100-based DNA purification, and real-time PCR. It can detect as few as 100 CFU/g and quantify as few as 1,000 CFU/g, with excellent accuracy compared to that of the plate count method. Therefore, it is a promising alternative for the detection of L. monocytogenes in meat products.     

Listeria monocytogenes serotypes in Italian meat products

Listeria monocytogenes was isolated and enumerated in Italian fresh ground beef, fresh pork meat and industrial sausages. All the samples contained less than 2000 L. monocytogenes /g of meat. The main serotype isolated was 1/2c (56.9%). Other serotypes isolated included 1/2a, 1/2b, 3c, 4b and 4c. A prevalence of less virulent serotypes over more virulent was thus noted. It seems that the low incidence of listeriosis from these products is related to the low concentration and virulence of L. monocytogenes present.     

Development of a repair-enrichment broth for resuscitation of heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua.

The ability of the divalent cations magnesium, iron, calcium and manganese; yeast extract; pyruvate; catalase; and the carbohydrates glucose, lactose, sucrose, esculin, fructose, galactose, maltose, and mannose to facilitate repair of heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua was evaluated. Listeria populations were injured by heating at 56 degrees C for 50 min. To determine the effects on repair, Trypticase soy broth (TSB) was supplemented with each medium component to be evaluated. Repair occurred to various degrees within 5 h in TSB supplemented with glucose, lactose, sucrose, yeast extract, pyruvate, or catalase. Chelex-exchanged TSB was supplemented with divalent cations; magnesium and iron cations were found to have a role in repair. Listeria repair broth (LRB) was formulated by utilizing the components that had the greatest impact upon repair. When incubated in LRB, heat-injured Listeria cells completed repair in 5 h. After the repair, acriflavin, nalidixic acid, and cycloheximide were added to LRB to yield final concentrations identical to those of the selective enrichment broths used in the procedures of the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The efficacy of LRB in promoting repair and enrichment of heat-injured Listeria cells was compared with that of existing selective enrichment broths. Repair was not observed in the Food and Drug Administration enrichment broth, Listeria enrichment broth, or University of Vermont enrichment broth. The final Listeria populations after 24 h of incubation in selective enrichment media were 1.7 x 10(8) to 9.1 x 10(8) CFU/ml; populations in LRB consistently averaged 2.5 x 10(11) to 8.2 x 10(11) CFU/ml.     

Listeria monocytogenes isolation from human faecal specimens: experiments with the selective media, PALCAM and L-PALCAMY

The selective media PALCAM and L-PALCAMY were evaluated for their potential ability to detect Listeria monocytogenes in faeces. Recovery on PALCAM was almost total, and similar at 30°C and 35°C with or without CO₂ incubation. Warm enrichment in L-PALCAMY was necessary in order to detect low numbers (<10²/ml faeces). Faeces in excess of 0.25 ml/10 ml L-PALCAMY was inhibitory. The results point to L-PALCAMY and PALCAM as an epidemiological tool.     

Development of a repair-enrichment broth for resuscitation of heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua.

The ability of the divalent cations magnesium, iron, calcium and manganese; yeast extract; pyruvate; catalase; and the carbohydrates glucose, lactose, sucrose, esculin, fructose, galactose, maltose, and mannose to facilitate repair of heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua was evaluated. Listeria populations were injured by heating at 56 degrees C for 50 min. To determine the effects on repair, Trypticase soy broth (TSB) was supplemented with each medium component to be evaluated. Repair occurred to various degrees within 5 h in TSB supplemented with glucose, lactose, sucrose, yeast extract, pyruvate, or catalase. Chelex-exchanged TSB was supplemented with divalent cations; magnesium and iron cations were found to have a role in repair. Listeria repair broth (LRB) was formulated by utilizing the components that had the greatest impact upon repair. When incubated in LRB, heat-injured Listeria cells completed repair in 5 h. After the repair, acriflavin, nalidixic acid, and cycloheximide were added to LRB to yield final concentrations identical to those of the selective enrichment broths used in the procedures of the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The efficacy of LRB in promoting repair and enrichment of heat-injured Listeria cells was compared with that of existing selective enrichment broths. Repair was not observed in the Food and Drug Administration enrichment broth, Listeria enrichment broth, or University of Vermont enrichment broth. The final Listeria populations after 24 h of incubation in selective enrichment media were 1.7 x 10(8) to 9.1 x 10(8) CFU/ml; populations in LRB consistently averaged 2.5 x 10(11) to 8.2 x 10(11) CFU/ml.