Detection and identification of bacterial strains

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method to detect bacteria, the method comprising the following steps: coupling of the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins to a support, incubating the support coupled with the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins with a sample, optionally removing the sample and the bacteria in the sample not bound to the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins, optionally adding substances permeabilizing or destroying the bacterial membrane, and detecting the bacteria in the sample bound to the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins, wherein the bound bacteria are not subjected to a cultivation step.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A method for the detection of bacteria comprising: 
 a) coupling at least a first bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein to a support, either by coupling the bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein via direct binding to a support or via direct binding of the bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein to a polypeptide immobilized to a support;    b) incubating the support coupled with the bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein with a sample; and    c) detecting bacteria bound to the bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein, wherein bound bacteria are not subjected to a cultivation step.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising removing unbound sample from the support.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising adding to the support one or more substances that permeabilize or destroy bacterial membranes.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein detection is performed by immunologic detection of cell components or products of the phage reproduction.  
   
   
       14 . The method of according to  claim 13 , wherein immunologic detection comprises colorimetric detection.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein detection is performed by detection of phage DNA or RNA.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein is directly contacted with the support  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the direct contact is by adsorption or chemical bonding.  
   
   
       18 . The method according t  claim 10 , wherein the bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein is bound to said support through a polypeptide immobilized to the support.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the polypeptide immobilized to the support is an antibody, lectin, receptors or anticalin.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the bacteriophage or bacteriophage protein exhibits one or more modifications.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein at least two distinct bacteriophage, at least two distinct bacteriophage proteins, or at least one bacteriophage and one bacteriophage, each recognizing distinct types or genera of bacteria, are immobilized to the support.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the support is a microtiter plate, a test stripe, a slide, a wafer, a filter material, or a flow-through cell chamber consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PMMA, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, glass, or silicium wafer.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 10 , to detect bacteria in the areas of medicine, food industry and analytics, livestock breeding, fresh water or environmental analytics.  
   
   
       24 . A kit comprising a support with immobilized bacteriophages or bacteriophage proteins and assay reagents to detect bacteria bound to said bacteriophages or bacteriophage proteins.  
   
   
       25 . The kit according to  claim 24 , further comprising agents for permeabilizing or destroying bacterial membranes.