Molecular methods for identification and detection of bacterial food pathogens.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) shortens conventional microbiological methods for the detection of food pathogens either by replacing the conventional biochemical and serological identification or by its direct use on pre-enrichment media or food products. PCR allows fast and highly reliable identification of bacterial taxa, particularly phenotypically atypical bacterial strains. For reliablity, PCR primers and reaction conditions must be thoroughly optimized and evaluated, appropriate sample preparations must be developed, and a stringent laboratory protocol must be followed.

Incidence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-To-Eat Chicken and Turkey Products Determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Line Probe Assay Hybridization.

The prevelance of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat poultry products was examined. Following 16 or 48 h of enrichment and selective plating, presumptive Listeria colonies were identified using polymerase chain reaction and reverse hybridization on line probe assay strips.

A Multiplex PCR Method for the Identification of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in Dairy Samples.

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the identification of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes has been developed. For the identification of Listeria spp.