Evaluation of an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes from food.

The VIDAS Listeria monocytogenes II (LMO2) method, which is an automated enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay (ELFA), was used for rapidly, specifically and sensitively detecting L. monocytogenes in food samples. All 31 L. monocytogenes strains examined gave positive results. The other bacterial species except Salmonella showed completely negative results, but it was suspected that Salmonella spp. had given a false-positive reaction to the assay. As the detectable limit of the assay was 10⁶ cfu/ml in a food suspension, food samples were required to be enriched in order to increase the number of the bacteria to the detectable limit. However, the ELFA was reconfirmed to be applied satisfactorily as a rapid and precise method for the detection of L. monocytogenes in various food samples, even if the culture had to be enriched for 12 h prior to the assay.