Immunoluminescent method for detecting enterococci in dairy products
Flegontova, T.A.
Gigiena i Sanitariia 1978(10): 64-66
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-9900 PMID: 100374 Document Number: 124355
A luminescent antibody method, using rabbit antisera specific for Streptococcus faecalis and Str. faecium, was found to be highly effective for rapid detection and identification of these enterococci in dairy products. Of 103 cultures isolated from 24 tvorog samples, 29 gave positive immunofluorescence reactions with the Str. faecalis antiserum and 17 with the Str. faecium antiserum. Detection of the enterococci by the luminescent antibody method took only 2-3 h, vs. 48 h by conventional bacteriological methods. Although some cultures of Escherichia coli gave positive immunofluorescence reactions (and also positive agglutination reactions) with the antisera, they were easy to distinguish from the enterococci by their morphology. Other enterococci (Str. faecium subsp. durans, and Str. bovis) and lactic acid streptococci did not react with the antisera.