A pathogen is a synonym for a disease-causing microorganism. Food pathogens represent a special form of microbial pathogens, which are picked up and spread through food.
Below a number of pathogens are listed, for which BIOTECON Diagnostics offers suitable foodproof® DNA extraction and real-time PCR detection kits. Many of the pathogen kits have been certified by recognized institutions such as AOAC-RI, MicroVal or NordVal (see licensing options / validations), and thus independently tested for quality and safety.
Foodborne Pathogens Detection Kits
foodproof® Foodborne Detection Kits
The foodproof Brucella Detection Kit detects the genus Brucella and additionally identifies the two most common food-associated disease species Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis. The rod-shaped, Gram-negative, aerobic bacteria are found in cows, sheep and pigs. The bacteria can be transmitted to humans through raw milk or meat causing brucellosis, also called Malta Fever.
Using the foodproof Campylobacter Detection Kit, Campylobacter species, including C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, C. upsaliensis, C. hyointestinalis and C. fetus are detected. Additionally, the species C. coli, C. jejuni and C. fetus can be identified by melting curve analysis.
Campylobacter are corkscrew-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria. They are often found on raw poultry. Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis. Infection may even cause nerve damage, such as the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
Campylobacter are corkscrew-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria. They are often found on raw poultry. Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis. Infection may even cause nerve damage, such as the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
The foodproof® Campylobacter Quantification Kit is suitable for the quantification of the four thermotolerant Campylobacter species C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari and C. upsaliensis from poultry or meat rinse water. Additionally, the two most common pathogenic species, C. jejuni and C. coli, can be identified in two separate channels.
Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, endospore-forming, Gram-positive bacterium, which can cause botulism. Botulinum toxins are the most potent bacterial toxins known and may occur in inadequately preserved foods, such as canned or cured meat. Children are especially vulnerable and can become seriously ill after consuming food contaminated with spores, such as honey or milk powder.
The foodproof Clostridium botulinum Detection LyoKit detects all human-relevant toxingenes – types A, B, E and F – in a single multiplex real-time PCR reaction.
The foodproof Clostridium botulinum Detection LyoKit detects all human-relevant toxingenes – types A, B, E and F – in a single multiplex real-time PCR reaction.
The foodproof E. coli and Shigella Detection Kit detects the important species E. coli and the genus Shigella, a group of Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae. Shigella can cause very severe shigellosis or dysentery.
The foodproof E. coli O157 Detection Kits are certified by AOAC-RI and NordVal, and allow selective detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli O157. O157 is the most important serotype of the shigatoxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC). The pathogen is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food, including raw meat, soybean sprouts or raw milk. Less than 100 bacterial cells are necessary to cause infection.
Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC or VTEC), e.g. E. coli O157, E. coli O145 or E. coli O104 are known to cause diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and the potentially fatal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). STEC are most commonly transmitted through raw ground beef, raw or inadequately pasteurized milk, sprouts and vegetables.
The foodproof STEC Screening LyoKit detects the Shiga toxin genes stx1 and stx2, including the allele stx2f, as well as the adherence-factor intimin gene (eae) in one multiplex real-time PCR reaction. The detection of stx2f is currently not possible using the STEC ISO / TS 13136.
The foodproof STEC Screening LyoKit detects the Shiga toxin genes stx1 and stx2, including the allele stx2f, as well as the adherence-factor intimin gene (eae) in one multiplex real-time PCR reaction. The detection of stx2f is currently not possible using the STEC ISO / TS 13136.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), also known as enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), or verocytotoxin- or verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), have been linked with severe complications like the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans.
Some STEC serotypes are linked to severe complications more often than others:
- E. coli O157, accounting for 50 to 80 % of human STEC infections
- The „Big Six“ O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145, responsible for 70-75 % non-O157 infections
- E. coli O104, that caused a serious outbreak in Germany in 2011
STEC are most commonly transmitted through raw ground beef, raw or inadequately pasteurized milk, sprouts and vegetables. The foodproof® STEC Identification LyoKit can detect and identify the eight most important STEC serotypes O26, O45, O103, O104, O111, O121, O145 and O157 in just one single PCR test. The completely new and unique assay design enables melting curve analysis with sequence specific 5`Nuclease-probes, whereby highest specificity is achieved.
The foodproof® STEC Identification LyoKit is in accordance with ISO/TS 13136 and USDA-FSIS method MLG 5B.
The foodproof Enterobacteriaceae plus Cronobacter Detection Kit allows simultaneous detection of genus Cronobacter (E. sakazakii) and the family Enterobacteriaceae by real-time PCR. Since 2005, laws requiring the investigation of powdered infant formula for the pathogenic genus Cronobacter also recommend screening for the family Enterobacteriaceae as a hygiene indicator.
The foodproof Enterobacteriaceae plus Cronobacter Detection Kit combines these two parameters, making it the only kit on the market that complies with the statutory requirements in a single test.
The foodproof Enterobacteriaceae plus Cronobacter Detection Kit combines these two parameters, making it the only kit on the market that complies with the statutory requirements in a single test.
In addition to the foodproof Listeria monocytogenes Detection Kit, BIOTECON Diagnostics offers the foodproof Listeria Genus Detection Kit for the detection of all known Listeria species. The genus includes ten species: L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, L. seeligeri, L. welshimeri, L. ivanovii, L. grayi, L. marthii, L. rocourtiae, L. fleischmannii, and L. weihenstephanensis. Though predominantly L. monocytogenes causes food-related illness, the Listeria genus is ubiquitous and often used as a hygiene indicator. Frequently contaminated foods are uncooked products, such as salmon, raw milk, raw sausage or raw cured meat.
The widespread occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria in the environment can result in the contamination of several food products. Our foodproof Listeria plus L. monocytogenes Detection LyoKit simultaneously detects the food-relevant Listeria sensu stricto species L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, L. seeligeri, L. welshimeri, L. ivanovii and L. marthii as well as the pathogenic species Listeria monocytogenes in a single PCR reaction. Our foodproof Listeria plus L. monocytogenes Detection LyoKit has been validated for all relevant food matrices, such as milk, cheeses, poultry, minced meat, seafood, ice cream, spices and environmental samples.
To detect only the single parameters you can find our foodproof Listeria Genus or Listeria monocytogenes Detection LyoKits in our portfolio.
In addition to the foodproof Listeria monocytogenes Detection LyoKit, BIOTECON Diagnostics offers the foodproof Listeria Genus Detection LyoKit for the detection of the sensu stricto Listeria species. The sensu stricto definition includes six species: L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, L. seeligeri, L. welshimeri, L. ivanovii and L. marthii. Though predominantly L. monocytogenes causes food-related illness, the Listeria sensu stricto species are ubiquitous and often used as a hygiene indicator. Frequently contaminated foods are uncooked products, such as salmon, raw milk, raw sausage or raw cured meat.
The foodproof Listeria monocytogenes Detection Kit is based on 5’Nuclease or hybridization probes, and provides fast, reliable detection of the pathogenic Listeria species L. monocytogenes. The foodproof Listeria monocytogenes Detection Kits are validated and certified by AOAC-RI and NordVal. Listeria monocytogenes are rod-shaped, Gram-positive, pathogenic bacteria that cause human and animal listeriosis as well as other diseases. Listeria monocytogenes may cause meningitis, encephalitis, granulomas, miscarriages and premature births as well as other conditions. Infection is commonly caused by ingestion of contaminated food.
The foodproof Listeria monocytogenes Detection LyoKit is based on 5’Nuclease probes and provides fast, accurate detection of L. monocytogenes.
The foodproof Salmonella Detection Kits are based on 5’Nuclease or hybridization probes and provide fast, accurate detection of Salmonella spp.. Certified by AOAC-RI, MicroVal and NordVal, the kits have been validated with hundreds of different food matrices and a total of more than 750 different Salmonella serovars.
Salmonella are rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria. They are pooled in the genus Salmonella, and assigned to the family Enterobacteriaceae. They cause disease in humans and animals, including typhoid fever and diarrhea. Infection commonly occurs through ingestion of contaminated food, typically eggs and poultry.
Salmonella are rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria. They are pooled in the genus Salmonella, and assigned to the family Enterobacteriaceae. They cause disease in humans and animals, including typhoid fever and diarrhea. Infection commonly occurs through ingestion of contaminated food, typically eggs and poultry.
The foodproof Salmonella Detection LyoKits are based on 5’Nuclease probes and provide fast, accurate detection of Salmonella spp..
Salmonella are rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria. The genus Salmonella is assigned to the family Enterobacteriaceae. They cause disease in humans and animals, including typhoid fever and diarrhea. Infection commonly occurs through ingestion of contaminated food, typically eggs and poultry.
The foodproof Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium Detection Kit detects and differentiates S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium in one test. These two serovars are responsible for about 80% of all foodborne Salmonella infections. Most commonly salmonellosis is associated with the consumption of poultry and egg products. According to Regulation (EU) No 1086/2011, all fresh poultry must be examined for S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium contamination. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published the Final Rule “Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation” (74 FR 33030), which will introduce methods requiring egg producers to test for S. Enteritidis.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae are potential waterborne contaminants of seafood, causing severe health problems worldwide.
In contrast to traditional methods, which are time consuming and error-prone, the foodproof Vibrio Detection LyoKit offers high sensitivity, 100% specificity and results in less than 24 hours. In just one single test, the foodproof Vibrio Detection LyoKit detects and discriminates between Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae. Additionally, the pathogenicity factors ctx, tdh, trh1 and trh2 can be detected and individually identified by melting curve analysis using sequence specific 5`Nuclease-probes.
In contrast to traditional methods, which are time consuming and error-prone, the foodproof Vibrio Detection LyoKit offers high sensitivity, 100% specificity and results in less than 24 hours. In just one single test, the foodproof Vibrio Detection LyoKit detects and discriminates between Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae. Additionally, the pathogenicity factors ctx, tdh, trh1 and trh2 can be detected and individually identified by melting curve analysis using sequence specific 5`Nuclease-probes.
The foodproof Vibrio Detection LyoKit is compatible with all relevant raw and processed seafood matrices such as whole squid, raw oysters or smoked salmon as well as other matrices. The rapid and easy sample preparation includes a live/dead discrimination step using Reagent D, eliminating false-positive results from dead Vibrio.
Yersinia are Gram-negative bacillus-shaped bacteria, belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections cause the disease yersiniosis, which is an animal-borne disease occurring in humans. Yersiniosis is, after infections by Salmonella and Campylobacter, the third most common bacterial gastrointestinal disease in Germany and Europe. The biggest risk factor is the consumption of raw pig products, like ground pork or minced meat.
In contrast to traditional methods, which are time consuming and error-prone, the foodproof Yersinia enterocolitica plus Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Detection Kit offers high sensitivity, 100 % specificity and results in only 24 hours.
In just one single test, the kit detects and discriminates between Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
The foodproof Yersinia enterocolitica plus Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Detection Kit is compatible with all relevant matrices such as pork minced meat, other raw meat and sausages, vegetables as well as other matrices like surface water samples.
A rapid and easy DNA extraction with the foodproof StarPrep One Kit is possible.
In contrast to traditional methods, which are time consuming and error-prone, the foodproof Yersinia enterocolitica plus Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Detection Kit offers high sensitivity, 100 % specificity and results in only 24 hours.
In just one single test, the kit detects and discriminates between Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
The foodproof Yersinia enterocolitica plus Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Detection Kit is compatible with all relevant matrices such as pork minced meat, other raw meat and sausages, vegetables as well as other matrices like surface water samples.
A rapid and easy DNA extraction with the foodproof StarPrep One Kit is possible.
The foodproof SL Staphylococcus aureus Detection Kit is suitable for the specific detection of pathogenic species Staphylococcus aureus in foods. The results are available within 24 hours.
Staphylococcus aureus is found almost everywhere in nature, including human skin and in the upper respiratory tract. Usually it does not cause any disease symptoms. However, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens in hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. One transmission route is through food contaminated by human contact.
Staphylococcus aureus is found almost everywhere in nature, including human skin and in the upper respiratory tract. Usually it does not cause any disease symptoms. However, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens in hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. One transmission route is through food contaminated by human contact.
The foodproof SL Bacillus cereus Detection Kit specifically detects the pathogenic species Bacillus cereus in foods.
Bacillus cereus is a toxin-forming pathogen in the food industry. Its heat-stable spores germinate in hot held foods, which is why there is particularly an increased risk in places with catered food. The spores of B. cereus also survive drying processes and can be found in dried products, such as spices or dried mushrooms.
Bacillus cereus is a toxin-forming pathogen in the food industry. Its heat-stable spores germinate in hot held foods, which is why there is particularly an increased risk in places with catered food. The spores of B. cereus also survive drying processes and can be found in dried products, such as spices or dried mushrooms.
The foodproof SL Clostridium perfringens Detection Kit specifically detects the pathogenic species Clostridium perfringens in foods.
Once in the intestine, food contaminated with C. perfringens is considered harmful due to the build of enterotoxins it produces. This bacterium is an anaerobic spore former, proliferating under conditions without oxygen, such as canned food or within a piece of meat. C. perfringens forms environmentally resistant spores that are not killed by boiling and other cooking processes.
Once in the intestine, food contaminated with C. perfringens is considered harmful due to the build of enterotoxins it produces. This bacterium is an anaerobic spore former, proliferating under conditions without oxygen, such as canned food or within a piece of meat. C. perfringens forms environmentally resistant spores that are not killed by boiling and other cooking processes.
