ASSESSMENT OF 3 NUCLEIC-ACID HYBRIDIZATION SYSTEMS FOR DETECTION OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP IN POULTRY PRODUCTS

Three commercially available nucleic acid hybridization systems were e valuated in combination with the United States Department of Agricultu re-Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS) cultural protocol fo r the detection of Campylobacter spp. from a variety of poultry produc ts. Samples were enriched for 24 h in Hunt broth and then plated onto modified charcoal Campylobacter differential agar. Suspensions of grow th from the selective agar plates were then analyzed by the probe assa ys. The GENE-TRAK(R) Campylobacter Assay (revised format) and the GEN- PROBE(R) ACCUPROBE(TM) Campylobacter Culture Confirmation Test showed sensitivities and specificities of 100% upon testing of 30 raw chicken rinses. The original format GENE-TRAK(R) test had a sensitivity of 93 % and a specificity of 100% when these samples were tested. Ninety per cent of the raw chicken rinses were found to contain Campylobacter spp . by either of the two more sensitive probes or by the USDA/FSIS cultu ral method. Eighty-three percent of the rinses registered Campylobacte r-positive by the original format GENE-TRAK(R) probe. When inoculated ready-to-eat poultry samples were examined, the revised format GENE-TR AK(R) test and the ACCUPROBE(TM) assay had sensitivities of 83% and sp ecificities of 100% The original format GENE-TRAK(R) test showed a 75% sensitivity and a 100% specificity with these samples. The USDA/FSIS cultural method had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 100% wit h the inoculated samples. The detection limit of the revised format GE NE-TRAK(R) and the ACCUPROBE(TM) assays upon testing pooled cell suspe nsions of four Campylobacter jejuni poultry isolates was approximately 10(6) CFU/ml.