Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in environmental samples by monoclonal antibody-based ELISA

Carbon Nanomaterial Fluorescent Probes and Their Biological Applications

Fluorescent carbon nanomaterials have broadly useful chemical and photophysical attributes that are conducive to applications in biology. In this review, we focus on materials whose photophysics allow for the use of these materials in biomedical and environmental applications, with emphasis on imaging, biosensing, and cargo delivery. The review focuses primarily on graphitic carbon nanomaterials including graphene and its derivatives, carbon nanotubes, as well as carbon dots and carbon nanohoops. Recent advances in and future prospects of these fields are discussed at depth, and where appropriate, references to reviews pertaining to older literature are provided.

Analysis and Biomedical Applications of Functional Cargo in Extracellular Vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can facilitate essential communication among cells in a range of pathophysiological conditions including cancer metastasis and progression, immune regulation, and neuronal communication. EVs are membrane-enclosed vesicles generated through endocytic origin and contain many cellular components, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Over the past few years, the intravesicular content of EVs has proven to be a valuable biomarker for disease diagnostics, involving cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and central nervous system diseases. This review aims to provide insight into EV biogenesis, composition, function, and isolation, present a comprehensive overview of emerging techniques for EV cargo analysis, highlighting their major technical features and limitations, and summarize the potential role of EV cargos as biomarkers in disease diagnostics. Further, progress and remaining challenges will be discussed for clinical diagnostic outlooks.

Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Coupled with a Photosensitization Colorimetric Assay for Fast Salmonella spp. Testing

Salmonella spp. is one of the most serious foodborne pathogens causing millions of infection cases annually, especially in resource-limited areas. The standard culture method (2-3 days) and current nucleic acid amplification-based testing are not suitable for on-site testing in rural areas with heavy Salmonella spp. burden. Here, we developed a colorimetric recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) method for fast and sensitive Salmonella spp. testing in 1 h. Specifically, the invA gene from the genomic DNA of Salmonella spp. was amplified isothermally to produce double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) amplicons, which were directly quantified by a photosensitization colorimetric assay. The proposed method offered the lowest detectable concentration of 5 × 10³ colony-forming units/mL (cfu/mL), which is much lower than that of ELISA (10⁵-10⁷ cfu/mL). The detectable limit could be further pushed down to 3 cfu/mL upon coupling with bacteria pre-enrichment for 6 h. Analysis of synthetic milk samples confirmed the high precision (90%) and specificity (95%) of the method for Salmonella spp. testing. Moreover, use of a DNA releaser could further simplify the whole testing operation. Because RPA features low-temperature amplification (25-42 °C) without the need for specific instruments and the dsDNA-based photosensitization colorimetric assay served as a simple and facile readout for RPA, our method thus allows fast and low-cost Salmonella spp. testing in food samples.

Application of lectin-based biosensor technology in the detection of foodborne pathogenic bacteria: a review

Foodborne diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria pose a serious threat to human health.

Kinetic Analysis and Epitope Mapping of Monoclonal Antibodies to Salmonella Typhimurium Flagellin Using a Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor

Salmonella Typhimurium is one of the leading causes of foodborne diseases worldwide. Biosensors and immunoassays utilizing monoclonal antibodies are widely used for the detection and subtyping of S. Typhimurium. However, due to insufficient information on the nature of binding with S. Typhimurium flagellin, the selection of appropriate antibodies for assay development is a cumbersome task. Hence, we aimed to compare the binding kinetics of a panel of monoclonal antibodies and their relative binding sites to flagellin antigen using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. Initially, the flagellin was captured on the sensor surface through an immobilized anti-flagellin antibody. The interactions of different concentrations of monoclonal antibodies to flagellin were determined, and binding curves were fitted using 1:1 bio-interaction model to calculate the kinetic parameters. For epitope mapping, pairwise comparisons were completed to determine the binding inhibition of each paired combination of monoclonal antibodies. It was found that these monoclonal antibodies differed significantly (p < 0.05) in association rate, dissociation rate, and equilibrium dissociation constants. Of the five monoclonal antibodies, only two interfered with the binding of each other. Four distinct epitopes located within a 23 kDa domain of flagellin were identified. Findings from this study provide crucial information needed for the further development and optimization of biosensors and other immunoassays for the detection and subtyping of Salmonella.

Detection of Cronobacter Genus in Powdered Infant Formula by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Anti-Cronobacter Antibody

Cronobacter species (Cronobacter spp.) are hazardous foodborne pathogens associated with baby food, powdered infant formula (PIF). To develop a rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous detection of seven Cronobacter spp. in PIF, an indirect non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (INC-ELISA) was developed based on a novel immunoglobulin G (IgG), anti-Cronobacter IgG. The developed INC-ELISA was able to detect seven Cronobacter spp. at concentrations ranging from (5.6 ± 0.30) × 10(3) to (2.1 ± 0.01) × 10(5) colony forming unit (CFU)/mL in pure culture. Further, INC-ELISA employing anti-Cronobacter IgG was applicable for analysis of PIF samples contaminated with less than <10 cells of Cronobacter spp. per 25 g of PIF in 36 h. The developed antibody showed slight cross-reactivity with Franconibacter pulveris (LMG 24057) at high concentration (10(8) CFU/mL). The INC-ELISA method displayed excellent specificity without compromising cross-reactivity with other foodborne pathogens. The INC-ELISA assay method developed in this study using a novel anti-Cronobacter IgG facilitated highly sensitive, efficient, and rapid detection of Cronobacter spp. in baby food.

Development of an antigen-capture monoclonal antibody–based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and comparison with culture for detection of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in poultry hatchery environmental samples

An antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for use as a presumptive screening test for detection of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and other group D Salmonella in poultry hatchery environments. A mixture of 2 monoclonal antibodies that recognize different forms of the lipopolysaccharide O-antigen was used for specific detection of group D Salmonella. The performance of the ELISA was evaluated in comparison to standard Salmonella culture procedures. Culture for each sample included nonselective enrichment with buffered peptone water and primary selective enrichment and delayed secondary enrichment with both tetrathionate and Rappaport–Vassiliadis broths. One thousand fifty-seven samples were collected from poultry hatcheries over a 5-year period (received in 85 submissions), and S. Enteritidis was recovered from 106 (10%) of them. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA relative to culture were 97.2% and 99.6%, respectively, on a sample basis and were both 100% on a submission basis. Delayed secondary enrichment increased the number of S. Enteritidis culture and ELISA-positive samples as compared to nonselective enrichment and primary selective enrichment by 25%. A significantly higher ( P < 0.05) number of S. Enteritidis culture- and ELISA-positive results were obtained from Rappaport–Vassiliadis broth than from tetrathionate broth or buffered peptone water cultures. The results indicate that this ELISA procedure may be useful for screening poultry hatchery environmental samples for the presence of S. Enteritidis.

Enrichment-ELISA for detection of Salmonella typhi from food and water samples

OBJECTIVE

Development of monoclonal antibody based sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (sELISA) for rapid detection of Salmonella enterica serovar typhi (S. typhi) from food and water samples and optimization of enrichment procedures for use with the developed sELISA to increase the detection sensitivity of the assay.

METHODS

Spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with flagellin (H=d) antigen of S. typhi were fused with Sp2/0 myeloma cells. The hybridoma cell line specific to H=d antigen was established, characterized and ascites raised against one of these clones. The hyperimmune serum to flagellin antigen was raised in New Zealand White rabbits. An sELISA was developed using polyclonal antibody as capture and monoclonal antibody as detection antibody. To design the efficient culture strategies for use with the sELISA, different pre-enrichment and enrichment broths were evaluated. The media included buffered peptone water (BPW) and brain heart infusion broth for pre-enrichment and selenite F broth and Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth as enrichment broths. The developed sELISA with preceding enrichment step in BPW (Enrichment-ELISA) was evaluated in various food samples artificially inoculated with S. typhi bacteria. Various food (30) and water (35) samples collected from field were also tested by Enrichment-ELISA and culture method.

RESULTS

Out of four specific clones to H=d antigen, one clone (# 2/56, IgG2a isotype) was used in sELISA. The sELISA had the detection limit of 10(4)-10(5) cfu of S. typhi. Of the various broths used with sELISA, BPW was found to yield maximum ELISA values. Enrichment-ELISA, when tested in artificially inoculated food samples, generally, could detect 10(2) S. typhi cfu/mL within 10 h from various food rinses (meat, vegetable) and milk samples. After overnight enrichment in BPW, as less as 2 bacteria per 10 mL of milk, meat rinse, and chicken rinse could be detected. Only one of the field samples (water) gave false positive result by Enrichment-ELISA.

CONCLUSION

In comparison to culture, the Enrichment-ELISA is a rapid, sensitive, and specific method for detection of S. typhi from food or water samples. This method may be used as rapid screening procedure for environmental monitoring during outbreak situation.

Filtration capture immunoassay for bacteria: optimization and potential for urinalysis

A novel assay utilizing immuno-labeling, filtration, and electrochemistry for the rapid detection of bacteria has been optimized for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Bacteria were specifically labeled with alkaline phosphatase conjugated polyclonal antibodies and captured on a polycarbonate track-etched membrane filter (0.2 microm pore size). The filter was then placed directly against a glassy carbon electrode, incubated with enzyme substrate, and the product detected by square wave voltammetry. The high speed and capture efficiency of membrane filtration and inherent sensitivity of electrochemical detection produced a 25-min assay with a detection limit of 5 x 10(3) E. coli O157:H7 per ml using a filtration volume of 100 microl (i.e. 500 cells filtered). The labeling, filtration, and electrochemical steps were optimized, and the assay performance using electrochemical and colorimetric detection methods was compared. The assay was used to detect E. coli O157:H7 that was spiked into filter-sterilized urine at clinically relevant concentrations.

Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs and chicken with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

An ELISA previously developed for the rapid detection of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) in environmental samples was modified and applied to food samples. A sandwich ELISA was designed that employs affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal antibodies for the capture stage and highly specific monoclonal antibodies for the detection stage. Thirty-nine species of bacteria other than SE, including 32 Salmonella species, were included in cross-reactivity testing with ELISA. Results showed no reactivity with any species tested besides SE. Salmonella enteritidis was added to homogenized food samples (chicken skin, meat, and eggs) to test ELISA sensitivity. The lower limit for ELISA detection of SE was 10(4) cells/mL for pure cultures and in 10% meat (wt/vol), 10(5) cells/mL in 10% skin (wt/vol), and 10(7) cells/mL in 10% eggs (wt/vol). Salmonella enteritidis detection with ELISA was confirmed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) method. Results were obtained within 24 h for ELISA method compared to 96 h for the BAM procedure. Results show that sensitivity of ELISA can vary with the type of food tested for detection of SE.

Salmonella enteritidis: the egg and I

The world-wide clinical incidence of Salmonella Enteritidis has increased markedly. The increase is associated with the enhanced ability of the bacterium to systemically colonise layer chickens. Subsequent contamination and consumption of intact shell eggs from colonised layer hens, either directly or in foods containing raw or lightly cooked eggs, causes human disease. Despite investigation, no change in the biology of the bacterium has been correlated with increased colonisation in chickens. To date, no method of control at the production level has proven effective; consumer education is the best means of minimising the public health risk.

Development and application of a monoclonal antibody against Thiothrix spp

Historically, methods used to identify Thiothrix spp. in environmental samples have been inadequate because isolation and identification procedures are time-consuming and often fail to separate Thiothrix spp. from other filamentous microorganisms. We described a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure which was used to identify Thiothrix spp. in wastewater, artesian springs, groundwater, and underwater subterranean samples. The ELISA utilized monoclonal antibody T3511 to a species-specific carbohydrate epitope of Thiothrix spp. No cross-reactions were observed among non-Thiothrix strains consisting of 12 species and nine genera. In field trials, the ELISA identified 100% of 20 biochemically and cytologically confirmed Thiothrix spp.-containing samples with no false positives. Indirect immunofluorescent microscopy utilizing T3511 was effective for wastewater samples but not for those from natural spring water because of background fluorescence in the latter. In addition, electron micrographs of Thiothrix spp. labeled with T3511-biotin-anti-mouse antibody-gold showed that epitope T3511 was intracellular both in laboratory strains and environmental isolates. The minimum level of detection of the ELISA was 0.10 microgram/ml.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of Clostridium aldrichii in anaerobiodigesters

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against Clostridium aldrichii were prepared by in vivo and in vitro immunization with whole cells and produced after fusion as ascites in BALB/c mice. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test for specificity and sensitivity of the Mabs to detect Cl. aldrichii. The lower limit for Cl. aldrichii detection in pure and mixed culture with ELISA was 10(5) cells ml-1. Twenty other species of bacteria, including 12 cellulolytic species, were tested for cross-reactivity with the ELISA, but none was detected. The ELISA was used for detection of Cl. aldrichii over a 16-month period in five mesophilic continuously-stirred tank reactors (CSTR) with wood, glucose, sludge or sorghum as substrates. The population of Cl. aldrichii in the poplar wood anaerobic digester effluent was 10(6)-10(7) cells ml-1 over that time. These numbers were confirmed by anaerobic microbiological methods. Results from the ELISA technique were obtained in 36 h vs 3 weeks for culture methods. It is concluded that the ELISA is a useful, time-saving method for identification, detection and quantification of Cl. aldrichii in axenic, mixed culture, and in complex undefined cultures such as those found in anaerobic digesters.