ABSTRACT
One of the greatest problems with testing for pathogens in food is the length of time it takes from enrichment to confirmation. In recent years, a large number of rapid methods (such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], PCR, gene probes, or lateral flow immunoassays) for identifying various pathogens have come onto the market. Typically, rapid methods are performed after the enrichment steps and prior to culture biochemical confirmation. They are used to rapidly assess a negative result. There is always a remote possibility that a nonviable cell could be bound by an immunoglobulin, or DNA from a nonviable cell could be amplified, giving a false-positive result. Therefore, when there is a positive result, it is prudent to continue with culture biochemical confirmation.
