Foodborne Pathogens Reference Unit

Advice

For information and advice on the services offered, please contact Dr K Grant

Services Offered

The Foodborne Pathogens Reference Unit (FPRU) provides a national and international service for a number of Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. This includes:

• Identification of Bacillus species, and confirmation and typing of B.cereus.
• Identification and serotyping of Clostridium perfringens.
• Identification of Listeria species, and the typing of L.monocytogenes.
• Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes in cultures of S.aureus from foods and cases of food poisoning: this activity is undertaken in collaboration with the Laboratory of Hospital Infection.
• Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins in samples of food or beverages.

The Unit also provides services and research for a number of intoxications of microbiological origin. These activities includes:

• Detection of scombrotoxin (histamine).
• Detection of neurotoxin and neurotoxin genes together with the isolation, enumeration and identification of Clostridium botulinum from clinical specimens, food and environmental samples.
• Detection of Clostridium perfingens enterotoxin in faeces.
• Determination of the toxigenicity of Clostridium tetani.