Novel method detects E.coli in less than 24 hours

By Joseph James Whitworth

- Last updated on GMT

Yadira Tejeda said the method is similar to a pregnancy test in which a line means negative and two positive
Yadira Tejeda said the method is similar to a pregnancy test in which a line means negative and two positive

Related tags E. coli Escherichia coli Bacteria

A method described as similar to a ‘pregnancy test’ has been developed for detecting contamination of meat products with E.coli O157 in less than 24 hours.

The current process to detect pathogens such as E. coli-O157 is through cultures, which require a minimum of 48 hours to determine positive or negative presence.

Yadira Tejeda said the time spent waiting represents a barrier to commercial producers of meat because one third of the shelf life is wasted awaiting results. 

However, with her novel process a quick sampling of the products can be done, said the specialist in microbiology from the University of Western Ontario. 

Similar to pregnancy test

The method is similar to a pregnancy test in which a line means negative and two positive, so attention is given only to products with an affirmative result.

e.coli Yadira Tejeda 2

"The contamination by E. coli O157 is possible because it is a bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle and, while not harmful to the animals, there is a high risk of contaminating the meat when the animal is sacrificed.

"I work with E. coli O157 because it has caused many epidemics, and has contaminated both raw and ready to cook meats; for example, burgers, sausages, beef and pork. In these circumstances, the products had to be removed from the market​.”

An average of about 440 cases of a certain type of E. coli infection was reported annually in Canada in recent years, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Between 2000 and 2004, there were 129 outbreaks and clusters of illness related to the same type of E. coli infection reported to the agency.

PHAC is investigating an outbreak of E.coli O157 at the moment although a specific source or product has not been identified.

There have been 24 cases with a matching genetic fingerprint in Alberta (1), Ontario (7), Quebec (14) and Nova Scotia (2).

Individuals became sick between July 12 and August 8 and five people were hospitalized but all have recovered or are recovering.

Scale up process

Tejeda is working with a small business and her idea is to implement a validation of this method, to see how feasible it is to release.

Firms are required by law to test for absence of E. coli O157 before releasing products to market.

The researcher focus on E. coli O157, while other colleagues study pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, because the idea is to have a range of diagnostic methods to identify various microorganisms.

Tejeda said there are several collaborative programs in Canada with other countries, including Mexico.

She has worked as an internship in the quality assurance department of Grupo Bimbo and in the R&D department at Unilever Mexico for two years.  

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