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A BAX^® ENTERBACTER SAKAZAKII (96 Tests)

Code: QB0657C

BAX System PCR Assay for Enterobacter sakazakii

click here for information on BAX System Q7

Description
Enterobacter sakasakii is part of the Enterobacteriaceae family.  E. sakazakii has been implicated in neonatal sepsis, meningitis and necrotising enterocolitis, with fatality as high as 33% being reported¹.  Milk-based powdered infant formulas have been implicated in many cases.  For that reason, many manufacturers of these types of product routinely screen their products, raw materials and manufacturing environment for the presence/absence of this organism.

When Enterobacter sakazakii is present in a food sample, the genetic-based BAX System uses the power of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to rapidly create (amplify) millions of copies of a unique, E. sakazakii -specific DNA fragment for reliable detection. BAX System assays simplify the method by combining all the PCR reagents you need into a single tablet, conveniently packaged inside the PCR tubes contained in each kit. Reducing the number of manual manipulations and pipetting steps, the tableted reagents improve accuracy and consistency; hands-on time is reduced to a minimum and shelf life is increased.

After standard enrichment, samples are lysed to break open the cell walls and release DNA. This lysate is then used to hydrate the PCR tablets. Processing in the automated thermo-cycler takes less than 4 hours for a full rack of 96 tests. Electronic results appear as positive/negative icons on-screen, and the data can be easily stored, shared or printed.

Applications
The BAX System detects Enterobacter sakazakiii in selected foods, including powdered infant formula, dry dairy and soy ingredients and food production environmental samples. Validation studies have shown that the BAX System, with 98% sensitivity/specificity rates, performs as well as traditional culture methods, but with next-day results.

Media for Use with BAX Enterbacter sakazakii
Modified LST Broth with vancomycin is used with this assay, made to the following formulation:

1   http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/inf-ltr3.html