RESUMEN
There currently are no rapid, sensitive tests to directly and reliably detect Bacillus anthracis spores in common powders. Traditional culture is time consuming and molecular techniques cannot directly process powders. This study describes a biosensor assay that detects B. anthracis at concentrations of 3.2 x 10(5) spores/mg or higher in spiked powders in less than 1 h with minimal sample preparation.
Asunto(s)
Bacillus anthracis/aislamiento & purificación , Técnicas Biosensibles/métodos , Tecnología de Fibra Óptica/métodos , Carbunco , Técnicas Biosensibles/normas , Bioterrorismo , Fibras Ópticas , Polvos , Esporas Bacterianas/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
Many rapid tests have been developed for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from complex matrices such as food and water. However, many of these methods rely on traditional culture steps for confirmation, which can take an extra 24-48 h. The fiber optic biosensor has been used to rapidly detect pathogens from complex matrices. In this paper, we demonstrate a method using a rapid biosensor assay, recovery through a short enrichment, and PCR to detect and confirm the presence of at least 10(3) CFU/ml of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample in less than 10 h.