RAPID DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI 0157:H7

Escherichia coli 0157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne illness first identified as an etiological agent in 1982. There is a need for low complexity, rapid (less than four hours) detection method capable of being performed on site at food processing plants in association with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Plans (HACCP). Ideally, this test should be simple to perform and interpret, be low cost, and be a sensitive and specific method for rapid detection of pathogenic E. coli 0157:H7. Methods will be developed for the detection of viable E. coli 0157:H7 contamination of meat carcass or ground beef. This consists of specimen collection from these materials, extraction and capture of 0157:H7 RNA, isothermal amplification, and visual lateral flow detection. The final assay will be incorporated into a self contained integrated particle (SCIP) device that is easy to use, does not require expensive instrumentation, and can readily be performed on site.