Evaluation of a STEC screening assay technology for use in export meat testing plants
The purpose of the project was to evaluate the performance of the Bio-Rad dd-Check STEC solution for screening and confirmation of 100 Australian beef enrichment broths from the red meat processing industry. Each broth was subsequently screened using the Bio-Rad IQ-Check detection system for stx, eae and Top7 serogroups and tested by the Bio-Rad dd-Check for the co-localisation of stx and eae.
This research confirmed that using dd-Check as a screening tool could lower potential positive (PP) rates, helping to reduce labour demands, minimise unnecessary product holds and reduce the number of PP requiring culture confirmation. Additionally, using dd-Check as a confirmatory tool allows for faster turnaround with results typically available within a day of sample collection.