Path-Chek Hygiene Pathogen Detection

INTENDED USE 3. If the swab cannot be transferred immediately into the Path-
Chek Hygiene Pathogen Detection Broth, return it to it’s
Path-Chek Hygiene Pathogen Detection is intended for use in holding tube and store in a cool place. Swabs may be held at
food handling and manufacturing environments and on food a maximum temperature of 20°C for up to 24 hours.
contact surfaces for the detection of important food pathogens. 4. Place the swab into the Path-Chek Hygiene Pathogen
Path-Chek Hygiene Pathogen Detection should be considered as Detection Broth at an angle with the tip of the swab against
a fundamental component of Good Manufacturing Practice and an the side of the tube. Press down on the shaft of the swab.
integral component of any HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical The shaft of the swab will break at breakpoint of the swab,
Control Points) plan. 45mm from the swab tip. (See Precautions) Replace the cap
and label the Pathogen Detection Broth tube with the sample
PRINCIPLE OF THE TEST details.
5. Place inoculated tubes into a suitable rack and incubate at
Path-Chek Hygiene Pathogen Detection consists of two the appropriate temperature for the appropriate time. (See
components (available separately): Below)
6. Observe for colour changes and record the results.
1. A pre-moistened Path-Chek Hygiene Swab which assists in
the removal of bacteria on test surfaces, particularly from dry INCUBATION
surfaces. The composition of the wetting agent also ensures
that any residual sanitising agents on test surfaces are PATHOGEN BROTH INCUBATION CONDITIONS
neutralised. The swabs have a small breakpoint (nick)
approximately 45mm from the end of the swab. This is to Coliform 35 - 37ºC for 18 – 24 hours
assist in breaking the swab off at an appropriate length when Salmonella 35 - 37ºC for 18 – 24 hours
it is placed into the tube of specific growth medium. o
Listeria* 28 – 30 C for 24 – 48 hours
2. The Path-Chek Pathogen Detection Broth. Individual
detection broths are available for Coliforms, Salmonella *NOTE: If Path-Chek Hygiene Listeria is incubated at 35 –
O
species and Listeria species. Each broth comprises a 37 C there will, in certain circumstances, be an increased
buffered growth medium containing growth promoters, risk of false positives.
selective agents and a specific indicator system.
INTERPRETATION
KIT CONTENTS
A POSITIVE result which indicates the presence of a particular
Each item is available separately pathogen is indicated by the development of a specific colour
change. (See Below)
PC010 Path-Chek Hygiene Coliform Detection Broth (3ml).
100 x 3ml A NEGATIVE result which indicates the absence of a particular
pathogen is indicated by no colour change in the Path-Chek
PC020 Path-Chek Hygiene Salmonella Detection Broth (3ml). Pathogen Detection Broth. (See Below)
100 x 3ml
INTERPRETATION
PC080 Path-Chek Hygiene Listeria Detection Broth (3ml). PATHOGEN BROTH
NEGATIVE POSITIVE
100 x 3ml
Coliform Purple Yellow
PCS-100 Pre-moistened Path-Chek Hygiene swabs. Salmonella Purple Black
100 swabs
Listeria Yellow/Straw Black
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Incubator set to 35 - 37°C
Incubator set to 28 – 30oC Path-Chek Pathogen Detection Broth may grow potentially
Rack to hold tubes during incubation dangerous pathogens. All positive samples should be handled
Template 10 x 10cm to assist with sampling (See Warnings and using precautions appropriate for the handling of infectious
Precautions) materials.

PROCEDURE When collecting samples aseptic procedures should be used. Do

not touch the swab tip with hands or fingers.
1. Carefully remove the cap from the pre-moistened Path-Chek
Hygiene swab (See Precautions). If a template is used during sampling, it must be sanitized, rinsed
2. Thoroughly swab a standard sample area (10 x 10cm), and dried before using again.
rotating the swab as the sample is being collected. If sample
areas are irregular develop a standard sampling procedure Follow Good Microbiological Practices where appropriate.
which is documented and used consistently. Label the swab
tube with the sample details.

FMCG Industry Solutions Pty Ltd

Unit 11A / 1 - 3 Endeavour Road Caringbah NSW 2229
Phone: 1300 628 104 or (02) 9540 2288
Email: info@fmcgis.comm.au
Website: www.fmcgis.com.au
STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Path-Chek Hygiene Pathogen Detection Broths should be stored Comprehensive sensitivity and specificity data is available for all
at 2 - 8°C when not in use. The pre-moistened sample swabs pathogen detection products. Please refer to: A Guide to
should be stored at 4 - 25°C. Components should not be used Environmental Microbiological Testing for the Food Industry
after the expiry date printed on the carton label. – Microgen Bioproducts. As a general guide to product
sensitivity refer to the following table.

OPTIONAL CONFIRMATION PROCEDURE Target Direct Wet Surface Dry Surface

Organism Inoculation (1) (2) (3)
Presumptive positive tests may be confirmed by sub-culturing the Coliform <5 cfu <5 cfu <10 cfu
Path-Chek Detection Broth onto an appropriate selective agar
plate medium for the pathogen being sought. After incubation at Salmonella <5 cfu <5 cfu <10 cfu
35 - 37°C for 24 – 48 hours, plates should be examined for Listeria <5 cfu <5 cfu <10 cfu
colonies resembling the pathogen being sought. Any suspicious
colonies should be further identified using more definitive tests.
Notes:
See below for further suggestions that conform to recognised (1). Organisms inoculated directly onto swab.
2
international standard methods such as AOAC, USFDA etc. (2). Organisms recovered from a standard 100cm wet surface.
2
(3). Organisms recovered from a standard 100cm surface, dried
and then recovered.
PATHOGEN CONFIRMATION PROCEDURES
DETECTION CONFIRMATION
BROTH ISOLATION MEDIA
TESTS
VRBA
Coliform Microgen® GNA ID
mENDO Microgen Bioproducts Ltd
Microgen® GNA ID 1 Admiralty Way
XLD
Salmonella Microgen ®Salmonella Camberley
BISMUTH SULPHITE
Latex Surrey
Oxford Microgen® Listeria ID UK
Listeria Palcam Microgen® Listeria
ALOA Latex
WF6751 2008-01
For additional information refer to: A Guide to Environmental
Microbiological Testing for the Food Industry – Microgen
Bioproducts.

DISPOSAL

After reading, the tests may be:

1. autoclaved and disposed of in the normal manner, OR
2. incinerated.

LIMITATIONS

1. Path-Chek Hygiene Pathogen is intended as a screening

test. Positive results should, if required, be confirmed by
standard bacteriological methods.
2. The absence of a colour change does not necessarily imply
the absence of target bacteria. Reasons for this may include:
a. Inadequate neutralization of sanitizing agents.
b. Numbers of target organisms are below the detection
level of the test.
c. The target organisms, although present may be
severely damaged and unable to be resuscitated.
3. A colour change indicative of the target organism may arise
due to the presence of excessively high numbers of other
organism species. This is a very important indicator of poor
cleaning and sanitising practices.

FMCG Industry Solutions Pty Ltd

Unit 11A / 1 - 3 Endeavour Road Caringbah NSW 2229
Phone: 1300 628 104 or (02) 9540 2288
Email: info@fmcgis.comm.au
Website: www.fmcgis.com.au