This Article Full Text (PDF) A correction has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kim, C Articles by Holloway, B P Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kim, C Articles by Holloway, B P Agricola Articles by Kim, C Articles by Holloway, B P

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1991 June; 57(6): 1609-1614

Rapid confirmation of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from foods by a colony blot assay using a digoxigenin-labeled synthetic oligonucleotide probe.

Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.

ABSTRACT

An oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe based on the sequence of a 321-bp internal fragment of the msp gene encoding a major secreted polypeptide of Listeria monocytogenes was labeled with digoxigenin by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. The specificity of the digoxigenin-labeled probe was determined by dot blot assays. The probe reacted with all strains of L. monocytogenes tested (12 of 12 strains representing five serotypes). The probe did not react with any other Listeria species or with other gram-positive bacteria (Brochothrix, Erysipelothrix, Corynebacterium, Rhodococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus). The probe was used to develop a colony blot assay for the rapid confirmation of L. monocytogenes on Listeria-selective agars which had been streaked with food enrichment cultures. Forty-eight food samples were tested by conventional culture and DNA colony blot assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the DNA colony blot were 100 and 97%, respectively.