Molecular methods for identification and detection of bacterial food pathogens

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) shortens conventional microbiological methods for the detection of food pathogens either by replacing the conventional biochemical and serological identification or by its direct use on pre-enrichment media or food products. PCR allows fast and highly reliable identification of bacterial taxa, particularly phenotypically atypical bacterial strains. For reliablity, PCR primers and reaction conditions must be thoroughly optimized and evaluated, appropriate sample preparations must be developed, and a stringent laboratory protocol must be followed. Positive control systems are used to monitor possible inhibition of the reaction and negative controls are needed to monitor for contamination. The most recent developments involve messenger RNA-based (mRNA-based) detection of viable bacterial pathogens and real-time PCR quantitation of pathogens.