A SIMPLIFIED SAMPLE PREPARATION METHOD FROM VARIOUS FOODS FOR PCR DETECTION OF PATHOGENIC YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA - A POSSIBLE MODEL FOR OTHER FOOD PATHOGENS

A simplified method for the direct application of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect plasmid-bearing virulent serotypes of Yersinia enterocolitica (YEP+) in a variety of foods. St rains of YEP+ representing five serotypes were detected in enriched sw ab samples of artificially contaminated pork chops, ground pork, chees e and zucchini using multiplex PCR analysis. The method was also effec tive for identifying YEP+ strains in naturally contaminated porcine to ngues. The use of swabs eliminated time-consuming extraction of DNA fr om food, inhibition of PCR by food-derived DNA, interference by backgr ound flora and reduced the time needed for processing samples. The det ection of other food pathogens should be feasible by this technique. ( C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.