Strategic Diagnostics to Use Bacteriophages to Improve Detection Assays

SDI have been awarded a U.S. Patent for using bacteriophages in microbiological assay tests and processes. The invention is a rapid bacterial detection method that reduces or eliminates the growth of undesirable bacteria, resulting in improved test performance.

The invention addresses the problem of how to detect a harmful pathogen among billions of other bacteria present in a test sample. Reducing the growth of competing bacteria in the sample reduces false negative results, while preventing the growth of cross reactive bacteria in the sample reduces false positive results. Together, these benefits reduce the time required to obtain test results while improving the accuracy of test methods.

In one application, SDI uses this technology in the enrichment media of its RapidChek® SELECT™ Salmonella and E. coli food pathogen assay test kit to inhibit the growth of cross-reactive and competitive bacteria, providing an optimal environment for Salmonella and E.coli to grow and, therefore, be more easily detected. Enrichment media is a significant component of the $1B global food pathogen testing market.

Depending on the detection method used, media can represent more than 50 percent of the cost per test. There are more than 138 million tests conducted globally each year to test for the presence of pathogens like Salmonella or E. coli in food products. Improving productivity and accuracy of tests is a major goal of the food testing industry.

'The award of this patent and the current application of the technology in our products and services reinforce and confirm the value of the R&D investments we are making,' said Fran DiNuzzo, President and CEO of SDI. 'Our customers are already seeing this technology reduce the time required to obtain test results while improving accuracy.'

Dr. James Stave, SDI Vice President of Research & Development, added, 'This patent application is an example of the creative work that we´re doing at SDI. We continue to explore and develop technology solutions that address real issues and result in better decision-making tools for our customers. We are particularly excited about this technology because we believe that it should be generally applicable to all microbiology tests that employ an enrichment step, even those in markets outside of food and water pathogen testing, such as pharmaceutical research and medical diagnostics.'