Rapid Pathogen Detection Tools

Abstract

Traditional methods for detection of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in food and clinical samples are typically time‐consuming and require multiple steps or even skilled persons for identification and confirmation of pathogens. Multiple serious pathogens including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Vibrio spp. have been linked to foodborne diseases and outbreaks worldwide. Rapid, reliable, and less labor intensive detection methods can simplify the steps for pathogen detection for routine testing or monitoring of food samples as well as for following‐up on foodborne illness cases by testing clinical samples. Monitoring of pathogens can become more common and effortless to perform. Immediate responses to potential pathogen contamination in foods can be one of the most effective ways to control foodborne outbreaks. This section reviews the principles and characteristics of some recent rapid detection methods, including (i) immunoassays and nucleic acid‐based detection platforms and (ii) tools based on metabolites released or consumed. As these methods have gained interest for use to detect pathogens in both food and clinical samples, a perspective on the future directions is also described.