Methods of Detecting Listeria from an Environmental Sample

Abstract

The present invention relates to the identification of microorganisms from an environmental sample, and in particular to the rapid identification of Listeria spp. The methods and kits described herein provide a method of detecting Listeria spp. without the need for an enrichment step.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A kit for detecting the presence of  Listeria  spp. in an environmental sample comprising
 a container, the container comprising:
 a collection device for collecting an environmental sample; 
 lysis buffer for expressing the collection device; and 
 a pathogen diagnostic assay that targets bacterial RNA sequences for detection and amplification of  Listeria  RNA in the sample. 
   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the collection device is a swab. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the collection device is pre-moistened with letheen broth.