Rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes by PCR-ELISA

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 416 - 420
• Main Authors: Scheu, P, Gasch, A, Berghof, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-12-1999; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins; Biological and medical sciences; DNA; DNA Primers; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - methods; Food industries; Food microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; genes; Listeria monocytogenes; Listeria monocytogenes - classification; Listeria monocytogenes - genetics; Listeria monocytogenes - isolation & purification; Metalloendopeptidases - genetics; mpl gene; polymerase chain reaction; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Species Specificity; Polymerase chain reaction; Rapid technique; Microbiological testing; Pathogenic; Listeria monocytogenes; Bacteria; Biological contamination; ELISA assay
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X; 1365-2673
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765X.1999.00667.x

A rapid detection system specific for Listeria monocytogenes based upon the polymerase chain reaction was developed. The specificity of the primers and the probe annealing to the coding region of the mpl gene proved positive with the DNA from a total of 103 L. monocytogenes strains, while DNA from another 73 Listeria and non‐Listeria strains tested negative. To facilitate detection with large numbers of samples, a microtitre plate assay was established with biotinylated probes. Use of a standard DNA prevented false‐negative results when used as an internal amplification control in the PCR–ELISA. As the described method required approximately 5–6 h to be completed it may prove useful in the detection of L. monocytogenes in food.