Detection of Enterobacter sakazakii in dried infant milk formula by cationic-magnetic-bead capture

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006 Sep;72(9):6325-30. doi: 10.1128/AEM.03056-05.

Abstract

Enterobacter sakazakii has been associated with life-threatening infections in premature low-birth-weight infants. Contaminated infant milk formula (IMF) has been implicated in cases of E. sakazakii meningitis. Quick and sensitive methods to detect low-level contamination sporadically present in IMF preparations would positively contribute towards risk reduction across the infant formula food chain. Here we report on the development of a simple method, combining charged separation and growth on selective agar, to detect E. sakazakii in IMF. This protocol can reliably detect 1 to 5 CFU of E. sakazakii in 500 g of IMF in less than 24 h.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriological Techniques* / instrumentation
  • Cations
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Cronobacter sakazakii / genetics
  • Cronobacter sakazakii / growth & development
  • Cronobacter sakazakii / isolation & purification*
  • Cronobacter sakazakii / pathogenicity
  • Enterobacteriaceae / isolation & purification
  • Food Microbiology*
  • Food Preservation
  • Humans
  • Infant Formula*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Salmonella / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Cations