A simple and sensitive detection system for Bacillus anthracis in meat and tissue

• Published in: Journal of applied microbiology Vol. 91; no. 3; pp. 421 - 426
• Main Authors: Cheun, H.I., Makino, S.‐I., Watarai, M., Shirahata, T., Uchida, I., Takeshi, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.09.2001; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Animal productions; Animals; Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus anthracis - genetics; Bacillus anthracis - growth & development; Bacillus anthracis - isolation & purification; Bacteriological methods and techniques used in bacteriology; Bacteriological Techniques - methods; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Culture Media; DNA, Bacterial - analysis; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Lymph Nodes - microbiology; Meat - microbiology; Meat and meat product industries; Microbiology; Plasmids - genetics; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Sensitivity and Specificity; Swine - microbiology; Templates, Genetic; Terrestrial animal productions; Vertebrates; Bacillus anthracis; Lymph node; Method; Bacillaceae; Meat; Infection; Polymerase chain reaction; Bacillales; Anthrax; Pathogenic; Bacteriosis; Microorganism culture; Bacteria; Food safety; Detection; Public health
• ISSN: 1364-5072; 1365-2672
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01395.x

Aims: To detect and isolate Bacillus anthracis from meat and tissue by rapid and simple procedures. Methods and Results: Bacillus anthracis Pasteur II cells were added to 1 g lymph node and pig meat, which were then cut into small pieces and suspended in PBS. Aliquots were spread on Bacillus cereus selective agar (BCA) plates to isolate B. anthracis cells, and incubated in trypticase soy broth. The enrichment culture was used for nested PCR with B. anthracis specific primers, which were to confirm the presence of B. anthracis chromosomal DNA and the pXO1/pXO2 plasmids. Conclusions: One cell of B. anthracis was detected by nested PCR from 1 g of the samples, and was also isolated on BCA plates according to colony morphology within two days. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results could be useful for detecting animals with latent anthrax, and meat contaminated with B. anthracis, rapidly and simply.