Rapid detection of the top six non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O groups in ground beef by flow cytometry

Abstract

Rapid, sensitive, and highly specific flow-cytometric assays were developed for the detection of the top six non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O groups in ground beef. The analytical sensitivity of the assays was 2 × 103 target cells in a bacterial mixture of 10 5 CFU/ml, and the limit of detection in ground beef was 1 to 10 CFU following 8 h of enrichment. The assays may be utilized for rapid detection of STEC O groups in meat. Copyright © 2012, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.