wildlife and zoo assay data sheet
Listeria monocytogenes
Test code:
B0044 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of
Listeria monocytogenes
bacteria by real time polymerase chain reaction. Assay does
not detect other Listeria
species.
Bacteria of
the genus Listeria
are widely distributed in the environment and are a common
contaminant of food. Listeria monocytogenes is of particular concern, as it is the
major culprit of listeriosis. Food products most frequently
associated with listeriosis are soft cheeses, particularly those
made from unpasteurized milk, and ready-to-eat animal and human
food products containing meat.
Infection
with L. monocytogenes
can result in septicemia, meningoencephalitis and abortion
in humans and animals, primarily affecting pregnant, newborn and
immunocompromised individuals.
L.
monocytogenes
is a non-sporogenic, facultative intracellular gram-positive
bacterium that has the ability to survive high and low
temperatures, low pH and high salinity. It is not acid-resistant
and can be grown on a tryptose and blood agar.
Traditionally, culture-based identification of
Listeria from food,
fecal or environmental samples relied on selective enrichments
and subsequent biochemical analyses. This analytical approach is
laborious and time-consuming (Almeida and Almeida, 2000), and is
prone to contamination during handling and incubation.
Detection of
this pathogen by polymerase chain reaction is highly sensitive
and specific. The assay is performed more quickly than culture,
on a wide range of specimen types, including environmental
samples, with a high degree of accuracy.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of Listeriosis
-
Safety monitoring of food products and processing
facilities
-
Minimize human and animal exposure to
L. monocytogenes
References:
Almeida,
P.F., Almeida, R.C.C. 2000: A PCR protocol using inl gene as a
target for specific detection of Listeria monocytogenes. Food
Control II: 97-101
Specimen requirement:
Food swab, or environmental surface swab, or rectal swab, or 0.2 ml feces.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all
specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during
very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship
with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are
specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain
frozen in transit. See shipping
instructions for more information.
Turnaround time:
2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative
real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected