Detection of Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in Poultry Meat
摘要
Campylobacter spp. are gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacteria responsible for the majority of foodborne human gastroenteritis in European countries. The main reservoirs for foodborne transmission are avian species, particularly poultry, with handling and eating undercooked meat representing the main risk factor for human infection. The rapid detection and identification of Campylobacter in chicken meat is important to control the spread of foodborne infections. A valid alternative to traditional real-time PCR is loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, a more rapid and easy tool for the sensitive and efficient detection of Campylobacter spp. in contaminated poultry meat. Indeed, with LAMP, DNA amplification occurs in a shorter time (less than 60 min), and it is less susceptible to inhibitors than PCR. Moreover, it is possible to evaluate the DNA amplification by the naked eye, without additional instrumentation, through the use of alternative detection systems (i.e., colorimetric reaction). Therefore, here we present a handy 1-day workflow for the timely and precise Campylobacter detection in chicken meat. In particular, compared to traditional protocols, we shortened the enrichment time to 6 h and we performed a colorimetric LAMP reaction at 60 °C for 45 min, able to detect down to 101 CFU/g of Campylobacter in chicken meat.