LISTERIOLYSIN O-BASED LATEX AGGLUTINATION-TEST FOR THE RAPID DETECTION OF LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES IN FOODS

A latex agglutination-based test for the rapid detection of Listeria m onocytogenes in foods was developed. An anti-listeriolysin O (LLO) mon oclonal antibody (H1D5E12D7; IgG(2b)) covalently bound to polystyrene amidine-modified latex beads was used in a slide agglutination assay. The latex reagent detected 0.1 ng/ml of LLO in phosphate-buffered sali ne plus bovine serum albumin. It reacted with culture supernatants of L. monocytogenes but not with other Listeria species or Streptococcus groups A through G. The listeriolysin O latex agglutination assay (LLO LAT) was applied to 24-h and 48-h USDA primary enrichment cultures of 208 food samples obtained from refrigerators of listeriosis patients e nrolled in a study to determine the role of foods in sporadic listerio sis. Of 19 samples positive by cultural techniques, 17 were positive b y the LLOLAT. Cultures with low (<0.3 CFU/g) levels of L. monocytogene s were positive in the LLOLAT. No cross-reactivity occurred when using a heterogeneous monoclonal antibody. The LLOLAT is a sensitive, speci fic and rapid test and may be useful for screening foods for L. monocy togenes.