hygiena STEC Identification LyoKit Instruction Manual
- June 10, 2024
- Hygiena
Table of Contents
STEC Identification LyoKit
MANUAL
STEC Identification LyoKit
Documentation for the qualitative detection and simultaneous identification of
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) of the serogroups O26, O45,
O103, O104, O111, O121, O145 and O157
Order No. KIT 2300 79 / KIT 2300 80
foodproof®
STEC
Identification LyoKit
Order No.
LP: KIT 2300 79
RP: KIT 2300 80
Kit for 48 reactions (lyophilized) for a maximum of 46 samples
Store kit at 2 °C to 8 °C
For testing of food and environmental samples
Approval:
Manual:
Version 5, February 2022
OVERVIEW
1.1 General Information
Number of Reactions
The kit is designed for 48 reactions with a final reaction volume of 25 µl
each. Up to 46 samples plus positive and negative control can be analyzed per
run.
Storage and Stability
Store all components at 2 °C to 8 °C. They are guaranteed to be stable through
the expiration date printed on the label. Opening of the kit does not shorten
the expiration date. The PCR strips must be stored in the provided aluminum
bag. Protect from light and moisture.
LyoKit Tube Profiles
The LyoKit is available in three different tube profiles: white low profile
tubes (LP), clear regular profile tubes (RP), and clear low profile tubes
(DP).
The majority of real-time PCR cyclers use low profile tubes (LP). For the
Dualo 32® R² and a few other cyclers, please use clear low profile tubes (DP).
For a detailed overview, please have a look at our compatibility chart.
1.2 Applicability
The foodproof® STEC Identification LyoKit is intended for the rapid analysis
of samples previously tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli DNA
(e.g., with the foodproof® STEC Screening LyoKit KIT 2300 77 / 78) isolated
from enrichment cultures prepared by valid methods and inoculated with all
relevant kinds of samples that are potentially contaminated with Shiga toxin-
producing E. coli.
The kit has been developed for real-time PCR instruments with a FAM, a HEX, a
ROX and a Cy5 detection channel, and capable of performing a melting curve
analysis. The performance of the kit was tested with the following real-time
PCR instruments: LightCycler® 480, LightCycler® 96 (Roche Diagnostics),
AriaMx, Mx3005P® (Agilent Technologies), Applied Biosystems™ 7500 Fast (Thermo
Scientific), CFX96 (Bio-Rad), and others.
1.3 Kit Contents
A schematic representation of the foodproof® STEC Identification LyoKit with
all its components.
LP: KIT 2300 79
RP: KIT 2300 80
| Component| Details
---|---|---
1| Microplate| 6 x 8-tube strips, prefilled with lyophilized ready-to-use PCR
mix.
Available are different tube profiles: white low profile tubes (LP), and clear
regular profile tubes (RP).*
2| 12 x 8-cap strips| For use in real-time PCR after addition of samples.
3| 1 x H2O PCR-grade (colorless cap)| 1 ml nuclease-free, for use as a PCR run
negative control.
4| Control Template (purple cap)| 250 µl, contains a stabilized solution of
DNA for use as a PCR run positive control.
- Tube profile and instrument compatibility chart is available online: www.bc-diagnostics.com/foodproof-compatibility-chart
INSTRUCTIONS
2.1 Required Material
Most of the required equipment and reagents are available through Hygiena™.
Please contact us for further information.
Use a real-time PCR cycler suitable for detection of respective probes as well
as for using low or regular profile strip tubes.
In case the strip tubes don´t fit for the instrument, the samples should be
transferred to appropriate PCR vessels after resuspension of the lyophilized
PCR mix.
Material
… Nuclease-free, aerosol-resistant pipette filter tips.
… PCR strip / plate centrifuges
- Without vortex: Mini microcentrifuge for 4 x 8-strips
- With vortex: Multispin MSC-6000 for 4 x 8-strips
- With vortex: CVP-2 for 12 x 8-strips and plates
2.2 Precautions and Preparations
The kit provides all reagents required for the PCR. However, in order to
achieve reliable results, the entire assay procedure must be performed under
nuclease-free conditions.
Follow the instructions below to avoid nuclease, carry-over, or cross-
contamination:
- Keep the kit components separate from other reagents in the laboratory.
- Use nuclease-free labware (e.g., pipettes, pipette tips, reaction vials).
- Wear gloves when performing the assay.
- To avoid cross-contamination of samples and reagents, use fresh aerosol barrier pipette tips.
- To avoid carry-over contamination, transfer the required solutions for one experiment into a fresh tube, rather than directly pipetting from stock solutions.
- Physically separate the workplaces for DNA preparation, PCR setup, and PCR to minimize the risk of carry-over contamination. Use a PCR hood for all pipetting steps.
- Sample Material: Use any sample material suitable for PCR in terms of purity, concentration, and absence of inhibitors.
- DNA Extraction: We provide sample preparation kits suitable for all kind of food samples and primary production stage samples.
- Positive Control: Always run a positive control with the samples. Use the provided control DNA (Control Template) or a positive sample preparation control.
- Negative Control: Always run a negative control with the samples. To prepare a negative control, replace the template DNA with PCR-grade water. Include a negative control during sample preparation to monitor reaction purity and cross contamination. This extraction control can be used as an additional negative control reaction.
- Confirmation: If required, positive results may be confirmed by appropriate methods (e.g., reference method).
- Waste Disposal: All contaminated and potentially infectious material, like enrichment cultures or food samples, should be autoclaved before disposal and eliminated according to local rules and regulations. For more information, e.g., proper disposal of unused chemicals, please refer to the appropriate safety data sheet (SDS).
Keep the PCR mix away from light and moisture.
For more information, please refer to the appropriate safety data sheet (SDS).
The SDS is available online at www.bc-diagnostics.com.
2.3 Enrichment and DNA extraction
The foodproof ® STEC Identification LyoKit is intended for the rapid detection
of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli DNA isolated from enrichment cultures
prepared by valid methods and inoculated with all relevant kinds of foods and
primary production stage (PPS) samples.
2.3.1 Certified Methods
The foodproof ® STEC Identification LyoKit was validated according to the AOAC
RI Performance Tested Methods SM program (license number 102004) for the
category raw meat for identification of 8 serogroups of E. coli STEC strains.
The validation includes 375 g test portions enriched in Modified Tryptone Soy
Broth (mTSB) (1:4) at 42 ± 1 °C for 12 to 24 h and 25 g test portions enriched
in mTSB (1:10) for 8 to 24 h. DNA isolation was done according to the package
insert of the foodproof ® StarPrep Three Kit – Extraction Procedure A. For 25
g meat samples with 8 to 20 h enrichment time and for 375 g meat samples with
12 to 20 h enrichment time, 500 μl of the enrichment culture were used for DNA
extraction. For enrichment times between 20 h and 24 h 100 µl of the
enrichment culture were used for DNA extraction. The foodproof ® STEC
Screening LyoKit was validated in combination with the foodproof ® STEC
Identification LyoKit and positive samples were confirmed via the method
described in Annex A in the package insert of the foodproof ® STEC
Identification LyoKit and via the reference method described in the USDA/FSIS-
MLG 5C.00.
2.4 Procedure
This protocol describes how to perform the analysis of DNA extracts by real-
time PCR.
Take appropriate precautions to prevent contamination, e.g. by using filter
tips and wearing gloves.
2.4.1 Workflow
-
PLACE STRIPS IN RACK
Take needed number of PCR tube strips out of aluminum bag.
Important: close bag tightly afterwards. Place strips in a suitable PCR tube rack.
If needed, gently tap the tubes to move the lyophilized pellets to the bottom of all tubes. -
DECAP
Open strips carefully direct before filling and discard caps.
Important: do not leave open longer than necessary. -
ADD SAMPLES AND CONTROLS
Pipette 25 µl of samples, negative control (colorless cap) or Control Template (purple cap) into respective wells.
If using less volume, add PCR-grade H2O to reach 25 µl.
To reduce the risk of cross-contamination, prepare only one strip at a time. -
SEAL
Seal the tubes with the provided 8-cap strips tightly. -
MIX
Resuspend pellet after sealing by mixing thoroughly.
Alternatively, resuspend pellet by
pipetting up and down multiple times in step 3. -
CENTRIFUGE
Briefly spin strips, e.g., 5 sec at 500 – 1,000 x g, in a suitable centrifuge. -
START REAL-TIME PCR RUN
Cycle samples as described in the program setup (2.4.2).
Place tubes in a vertical, balanced order into the cycler, e.g., two strips can be placed in the first and last column.
2.4.2 Program Setup
Program your real-time PCR instrument before setting up the PCR reactions.
Select the following channels:
-
FAM (all 8 serotypes), HEX (O26, O103, O104), ROX (O111, O145, O157), and Cy5 (O45, O121, Internal Control).
-
Fluorescence detection
Fluorescence detection during 37 – 80 °C ramp with 1 – 2 measurements/°C
Pre-incubation: 1 cycle
Step 1: 37 °C for 4 min
Step 2: 95 °C for 5 min
Amplification: 50 cycles*
Step 1 : 95 °C for 5 sec
Step 2: 60 °C for 60 sec
Melting Curve: 1 cycle
Step 1 : 95 °C for 50 sec
Step 2 : 37 °C for 50 sec
Step 3: ramp up to 80 °C
For some real-time PCR instruments the probe quencher as well as the usage of a passive reference dye has to be specified. This kit contains probes with a non-fluorescent “dark” quencher and no passive reference dye.
A Color Compensation is necessary for users of the LightCycler® 480 System: Color Compensation Set 3 (Order No. KIT 2300 05).
Agilent Mx3005P™ instrument: Choose Experiment Type “SYBR® Green (with Dissociation Curve)” and add HEX, ROX, and CY5 channels for data collection in the setup section. CFX96™ system melting curve protocol: Step 1: 95 °C for 45 seconds; Step 2: Melt Curve 37 °C to 80 °C, increment 0.5 °C, for 0.02 + Plate Read
2.4.3 Data Interpretation**
Verify results of positive (Control Template) and negative controls (H2O), before interpreting
sample results. Always compare samples to positive and negative control. Review data from each channel and interpret results as described in the table.
Amplification Curve | FAM | Cy5 | Result Interpretation |
---|---|---|---|
+ | +/- | Positive for one or more: O26, O45, O103, O104, O111, O121, O145, O157 | |
– | + | Negative for serogroups: O26, O45, O103, O104, O111,O121, O145, O157 | |
– | – | Invalid | |
Melting Curve | Channel | Tm Range for LC480, LC96, AriaMx | |
--- | --- | --- | |
HEX | O26: 43 – 48 °C | O104: 48.5 – 54 °C | O103: 59 – 64 °C |
ROX | O157: 45 – 50 °C | O111: 51 – 56 °C | O145: 59 – 64 °C |
Cy5 | O121: 50 – 55 °C | O45: 58 – 63 °C | IC: > 65 °C |
Melting Curve | Channel | Tm Range for Mx3005P, 7500 Fast, CFX96 | |
--- | --- | --- | |
HEX | O26: 41 – 45.5 °C | O104: 46 – 51 °C | O103: 58 – 63 °C |
ROX | O157: 42 – 47 °C | O111: 48 – 53 °C | O145: 57 – 62 °C |
Cy5 | O121: 48 – 53 °C | O45: 56 – 61 °C | IC: > 65 °C |
2.5 Troubleshooting
Problem | Possible Cause | Recommendation |
---|
Squashed or crooked tubes, or open / dislodged tube lids after run, or the
cycler does not open or close properly.| Wrong tube format.| Choose the
correct tube format for your cycler. Tube profile and instrument compatibility
chart is available online: www.bc-diagnostics.com/compatibility-
chart
If necessary, the samples can be transferred to appropriate PCR vessels after
resuspension of the lyophilized PCR mix.
Wrong placement of tubes.| Place tubes into the cycler in a vertical and
balanced order, as described in the instructions for the PCR instrument.
No signal increase is observed, even with positive controls.| Incorrect
detection channel has been chosen.| Set channel settings for respective dyes
accordingly.
Pipetting errors.| Check for correct reaction setup and repeat the PCR run.
Always run a positive control along with your samples.
No data acquisition programmed.| Check the cycle programs.
A sample shows no signals, including the internal control. Positive and
negative control have proper signals.| Inhibitory effects of the sample
material (e.g., caused by insufficient purification).| Use the recommended DNA
extraction kit.
Dilute samples or pipette a lower amount of sample DNA (e.g., 20 µl PCR-grade
water and 5 µl sample instead of 25 µl sample).
Negative control samples are positive.| Carry-over contamination.| Exchange
all critical solutions and reagents for DNA/RNA extraction.
Repeat the complete experiment with fresh batches of all reagents.
Always handle samples, kit components and consumables in accordance with
commonly accepted practices to prevent carry-over contamination.
Add positive controls after sample and negative control reaction vessels have
been sealed.
Fluorescence intensity is too low.| Inappropriate storage of kit components.|
Store lyophilized PCR mix at 2 °C to 8 °C, protected from light and moisture.
Low initial amount of target DNA.| If possible, increase the amount of sample
DNA. Depending on the chosen DNA isolation method, inhibitory effects may
occur.
Problem| Possible Cause| Recommendation
---|---|---
Strong decrease of fluorescence baseline.| Resuspension of lyophilized PCR mix
not complete.| Always resuspend lyophilized PCR mix thoroughly.
Use the recommended vortex centrifuge with the correct settings.
Fluorescence intensity varies or changes abruptly during the run.|
Insufficient centrifugation of the PCR strips, e.g., resuspended PCR mix is
still in the upper part of the vessel or bubbles trapped in the mix.| Always
centrifuge PCR strips.
Use the centrifuge models and settings recommended in this manual.
Avoid the introduction of air bubbles during pipetting.
Outer surface of the vessel or the seal is dirty (e.g., by direct skin
contact).| Always wear gloves when handling the vessels and seal.
Do not mark vessels on the outside of the tubes or directly on top of the
reaction mix.
Pellets are difficult to dissolve.| The lyophilized PCR mix started to
rehydrate.| Store the lyophilized PCR mix always in the aluminum bag with the
silica gel pads. Make sure that the lids are tightly closed.
Remove strips from the aluminum bag only shortly before PCR setup.
Open strip shortly before filling.
2.6 Support
If you have questions or experience any problems with our products, please
contact us:
www.hygiena.com/technical-support-request
Our aim is to provide you with a solution as quickly and effectively as possible. We would also like you to contact us if you have any suggestions for improving the product or in case you would like to use our product for a different application. We highly value your feedback.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
3.1 Testing Principle The foodproof ® kit provides all necessary reagents and
a control template for reliable interpretations of results. To ensure maximum
reliability of the kit and to prevent misinterpretation of negative results
due to inhibition of the amplification, an Internal Control (IC) is included.
A hydrolysis probe was designed to bind specifically the IC, allowing
detection in the respective channel, whereas the target DNA is detected in
another channel. In case of a negative result due to inhibition of the
amplification by the sample DNA of interest, the amplification of the IC is
suppressed as well, whereas a negative result for the sample DNA of interest
and amplification of the IC clearly indicates the absence of parameter in the
sample. The real-time PCR kit minimizes contamination risk and contains all
reagents (except for template DNA) needed for the detection of target DNA.
Primers and probes provide specific detection of target DNA in food and
environmental samples, including primary production stage samples. The
described performance of the kit is guaranteed for use only on the real-time
PCR instruments listed above.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Using the kit‘s sequence-specific primers in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the PCR instrument and the supplied reagents amplify fragments of specific sequences for target DNA.
- The PCR instrument detects these amplified fragments in real time through fluorescence generated by cleavage of the hybridized probe due to the 5´-nuclease activity of the Taq DNA polymerase. The probe is labeled at the 5´-end with a reporter fluorophore and at the 3´-end with a quencher.
- During the annealing/elongation phase of each PCR cycle, the probe hybridizes to an internal sequence of the amplicon and is cleaved by the 5’ nuclease activity of the Taq DNA polymerase. This cleavage of the probe separates the reporter dye from the quencher dye, increasing the reporter dye signal.
- The PCR instrument measures the emitted fluorescence of the reporter dye.
Prevention of Carry-Over Contamination
The heat-labile Uracil-DNA N-Glycosylase (UNG) is suitable for preventing
carry-over contamination between PCR’s. This technique relies on the
incorporation of deoxy uridine triphosphate (dUTP) during all amplification
reactions, and the pretreatment of all successive PCR mixtures with the heat-
labile UNG. The UNG cleaves DNA at any site where a deoxy uridine residue has
been incorporated. The resulting abasi sites are hydrolyzed due to the high
temperatures during the initial denaturation step, and can no longer serve as
PCR templates. The heat-labile UNG is inactivated during the initial
denaturation step. Native DNA (e.g., the isolated target genomic DNA) does not
contain uracil and is therefore not degraded by this procedure. Since dTTP is
replaced with dUTP and UNG is included in this kit, decontamination can be
achieved with the provided reagents.
3.2 Trademarks
foodproof ®, microproof ®, vetproof ®, ShortPrep ®, RoboPrep ®, and LyoKit ®
are trademarks of BIOTECON Diagnostics GmbH. Hygiena TM is a registered
trademark of Hygiena. Other brand or product names are trademarks of their
respective holders.
3.3 Reference Number
The reference number and original BIOTECON Diagnostics article numbers: R 602
12 -1, and R 602 12 -2.
3.4 Change Index
Version 5, February 2022: Rebranding, new document layout and content, new
order number.
ANNEX A
Alternative confirmation of presumptive positive PCR results (from the
enrichment culture) In case of positive PCR results with the foodproof® STEC
Screening LyoKit and foodproof® STEC Identification LyoKit continue with the
confirmation procedure as described below.
General Preparation:
- Prewarm E Buffer to at least 18 °C.
- Remove mRBA plates or equivalent from 2 °C to 8 °C.
- Prepare and label reaction tubes.
Alternative Confirmation Procedure:
(a) Following incubation for 15-24 h shake enrichment culture gently.
(b) Place a 40 μm cell strainer on a labeled 50 ml conical centrifuge tube.
Pipette 5 ± 1 ml of enrichment culture into the respective cell strainer and
collect at least 1.0 ml of filtrate.
(c) Transfer appropriate immunomagnetic capture beads (volume recommended by
the manufacturer) determined by the serogroup PCR screen results to a sterile,
labeled microcentrifuge tube.
(d) Transfer 1.0 ml of a filtrate to the corresponding microcentrifuge tube
containing the immunomagnetic bead suspension and place in the clips of the
rotating tube agitator. Rotate the tubes for 10 15 mins at 18 °C to 30 °C.
(e) Attach the OctoMACS® magnet to the multistrand.
(f) Label and place the appropriate number of large cell separation columns on
the OctoMACS® Magnet. Leave the plungers in the bags at this time to maintain
sterility.
(g) Place a rack with tubes below the columns for collecting liquid waste.
Inactivate and discard flow-through following step (i).
(h) Transfer at least 0.5 ml E Buffer to the top of each column and let the
buffer run through, then transfer each culture and control to its
corresponding column.
(i) After the last washing step, remove the column from the OctoMACS® magnet
and insert the tip into an empty labeled 12 x 75 mm tube. Apply 1.0 ml of E
Buffer to the column, and using the plunger supplied with the column,
immediately flush out the beads into the tube. Use a smooth, steady motion to
avoid splattering. Cap the tubes.
(j) Make a 1:10 dilution of each treated bead suspension by adding 100 µl of
the bead suspension to a 12 x 75 mm labeled tube containing 900 µl E Buffer.
Make a 1:100 dilution by adding 0.1 ml of the 1:10 dilution to a 12 x 75 mm
labeled tube containing 900 µl E Buffer.
(k) Vortex briefly to maintain beads in suspension and plate 100 µl from each
suspension (undiluted column eluate, 1:10 dilution and 1:100 dilution) onto a
labeled mRBA plate. Use a hockey stick or spreader to spread plate the beads.
(l) For acid treatment transfer 450 μl of the undiluted column eluate to an
empty labeled microcentrifuge tube. Add 25 μl of 1N hydrochloric acid (HCl) to
this bead suspension and vortex briefly.
(m) Place the microcentrifuge tubes containing the acid treated suspension on
a rotating tube agitator and rotate tubes for 1 h at 18 °C to 30 °C.
(n) Following incubation, dilute the suspension by adding 475 μl of E buffer.
(o) Vortex briefly to maintain beads in suspension and plate 100 µl of the
diluted suspension onto a labeled mRBA plate. Use a hockey stick or spreader
to spread plate the beads.
(p) Add 100 µl of the suspension to a labeled tube containing 900 µl E buffer
and vortex briefly, representing a 1:10 dilution of the acid-treated cell
suspension. Plate 100 µl of the diluted suspension onto a labeled mRBA plate.
(q) As soon as there is no visible moisture on the agar surface, invert plates
and incubate for 20 to 24 h at 35 ± 2 °C.
(r) After incubation of mRBA, plates are to be examined for colonies that
agglutinate with latex agglutination reagents specific for the serogroup of
interest. Perform serological agglutination assays for STECs following
manufacturer’s instructions. Samples that have no growth on mRBA or colonies
that are agglutination negative for the O group of interest can be reported as
negative for STEC.
(s) Extract DNA from agglutination positive colonies using the foodproof®
StarPrep Three Kit according to the “Extraction procedure Alternative 2”
described in the package insert.
(t) Confirm agglutination positive colonies with both the foodproof® STEC
Screening LyoKit and foodproof® STEC Identification LyoKit following the
procedure described in the respective package insert.
(u) The sample is considered positive for non-O157 STEC if the isolate is
agglutination positive for one or more of the seven non-O157 STEC serogroups
(O26, O45, O103, O104, O111, O121, O145) positive for stx and eae, positive
for one or more of the seven non-O157 serogroup genes. If the isolate and any
additional colony picks from mRBA are ultimately determined to be negative for
either stx, eae, or serogroup genes, the sample is negative for non-O157 STEC.
Isolates that serologically and genetically determined to be “E. coli O157”
are additionally considered as positive if they are positive for Shiga toxin
production, positive for stx gene(s) or genetically determined to be “H7”.
Hygiena LLC
CA 93012 Camarillo
USA
www.hygiena.com/technical-support-request
Manufactured by
BIOTECON
Diagnostics GmbH
Hermannswerder 17
14473 Potsdam
Germany
bcd@bc-diagnostics.com
www.bc-diagnostics.com
References
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