System for determination of total microbial count and search for and presumptive identification of pathogenic germs that can be isolated from work surfaces

DESCRIPTION
HACCP-SYSTEM Plus is a 24-well system containing desiccated biochemical substrates and culture media for determination of the total microbial count and for the search for and presumptive identification of microorganisms from work surfaces and equipment with flat faces. Specifically, the system provides for the search for and presumptive identification of: Salmonella spp., Citrobacter spp., Proteus spp. Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., Staphylococcus aureus, yeasts and moulds. The system is inoculated with a suspension of samples obtained from swabs of the work surfaces and equipment and is incubated at 36 °C ± 1 °C for 18-24 hours. The tests for determination of the total microbial count, and for the search for and presumptive identification of the micro-organisms present in the sample, are interpreted by assessing the change in colour of the various wells and performing a microscope examination.

KIT CONTENTS
The kit contains:

ITEMS NECESSARY BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE KIT

• Sundry materials used in microbiology laboratories
• Cover slides and slides
• Microscope

CONFIGURATION
The configuration of the system is shown in Table 1. Each system allows two samples to be examined.
Table 1:

PRINCIPLE OF THE METHOD
HACCP-SYSTEM Plus makes possible determination of the total microbial count and the search for and
presumptive identification of microorganisms such as: Salmonella spp., Citrobacter spp., Proteus spp., Providencia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., Staphylococcus spp., yeasts and moulds.

• The presence of Salmonella spp. is shown by a change in colour from yellow to red of well 4-LDC; and by the change from yellow to black of well 5-H2S. The identification of Salmonella spp. must be confirmed by isolation on selective media, biochemical tests and serological tests for typing of the group.
• The presence of Citrobacter spp. is shown by the yellow colour of well 4-LDC; and by the change in colour from yellow to black of well 5-H2S.
• The presence of Proteus spp./ Providencia spp. is shown by the yellow colour of well 4-LDC, and by the change in colour from yellow to black of well 5-H2S.
  Confirmation of Proteus spp./ Providencia spp. is provided by the change in colour from yellow to brownblack of well 6-PRO.
• The presence of Pseudomonas spp. is shown by the change in colour from yellow to turbid green of well 9-PSE. The identification of Pseudomonas spp. must be confirmed by the oxidase test (OXIDASE TEST STICK code 88029).
• The presence of microorganisms of the Escherichia coli group is shown by the change in colour from red to blue of well 7-ESC and by the appearance of a pink-red ring following the addition of Kovac’s reagent to well 8-IND.
• The presence of Listeria spp. is shown by blackening of well 10-LIS. The identification of Listeria spp. must be confirmed by isolation on selective media, biochemical tests and serological tests.
• The presence of Staphylococcus aureus is shown by the appearance of a black ring on the bottom of well 11-STA. The identification of Staphylococcus aureus must be confirmed by the coagulase test, isolation on selective media and biochemical tests.
• The presence of yeasts and moulds is shown by the change in colour from green to yellow of well 12-Y/M and observation under the microscope of mycelial strands (hyphae) and chlamydospores.

Bacterial count

•Low microbial contamination (4-50 CFU/cm²)
•Moderate microbial contamination (50-500 CFU/cm²)
•High microbial contamination (>500 CFU/cm²)

Microbial Identification:

1. Salmonella spp.
2. Citrobacter spp.
3. Proteus spp./Providencia spp.
4. Escherichia coli
5. Pseudomonas spp.
6. Listeria spp.
7. Staphylococcus aureus
8. Yeasts and Moulds

Benefits:

1. Direct inoculation from surface samples
2. Conveniently designed for two tests
3. Results ready in 18-24 hours
4. Clear and well defined color changes
5. Easy interpretation

LIMITS AND WARNINGS
The presence of Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. must be confirmed using appropriate culture media and biochemical and serological tests. For definitive identification of these microorganisms, it is necessary to perform supplementary confirmation tests.

PERFORMANCE
The results obtained with HACCP-SYSTEM Plus agree with those obtained using traditional culture methods.

STORAGE
Store at 2-8 °C in the original packaging. Keep away from sources of heat and avoid excessive changes of temperature. In such conditions the product will remain valid until the expiry date indicated on the label. Do not use beyond that date. Eliminate without using if there are signs of deterioration.

QUALITY CONTROL
Each batch of HACCP-SYSTEM Plus is subjected to quality control using the following ATCC reference strains of microorganisms:

DISPOSAL OF USED MATERIAL
After use, HACCP-SYSTEM Plus and material that has come into contact with the sample must be decontaminated and disposed of in accordance with the techniques used in the laboratory for decontamination and disposal of potentially infected material.

PRESENTATION

REFERENCES

1. Murray, Baron, Pfaller, Tenorev and Yolken Manual of Clinical Microbiology 7th Edition (1999) American Society of Microbiology.
2. Ronald M. Atlas. Handbook of Microbiological Media (1997) Lawrence C. Parks.
3. Italian Official Gazette: Legislative Decree D. lgs 155/ 97
4. ISO 7218-1996 – Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuff-General rules for microbiological examinations.