A Rapid LAMP-Based Method for Screening Poultry Samples for Campylobacter Without Enrichment.

Area of Science:

• Food Microbiology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Food Safety Science

Background:

• Campylobacter is a leading cause of foodborne illness, primarily linked to chicken consumption.
• Current detection methods are time-consuming, posing challenges for the rapid food supply chain.
• There is a critical need for swift and reliable Campylobacter detection in poultry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a rapid, culture-independent method for direct Campylobacter detection in poultry.
• To evaluate the performance of a loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP) assay for Campylobacter.
• To establish a robust screening tool for Campylobacter contamination in poultry products.

Main Methods:

• Development of a direct detection method using loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP).
• Analysis of 171 poultry carcass swabs from slaughterhouses using LAMP and conventional culture methods.
• Inclusion of an internal amplification control to mitigate false negatives from inhibitors.

Main Results:

• The LAMP assay accurately detected Campylobacter in 100% of samples with high bacterial counts (≥800 cfu/swab).
• 98.6% of samples with low counts (≤10 cfu/swab) were correctly identified as negative by LAMP.
• The method demonstrated suitability for analyzing boot swabs, indicating broad applicability.

Conclusions:

• The developed LAMP method offers a rapid, easy-to-perform, and robust solution for Campylobacter detection in poultry.
• This assay can be implemented at various points in the food supply chain for effective contamination control.
• The internal control ensures reliable results, enhancing its utility as a screening tool.