Rapid Assays for the Detection of Foodborne Toxins
Luisa Cheng,
Research Leader,
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and shiga toxins are bacterial toxins that cause severe human diseases. Because of their acute toxicity, there are intense research efforts to develop sensitive detection tools, vaccines and therapeutics for these bacterial toxins. In our laboratories, high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed for the detection of different BoNT serotypes and all subtypes of shiga toxins in commonly use ELISA and new immunoassays using electrochemiluminescence and microfluidic platforms. Detection limits of these new assays fall within the pg/ml range, well below those of standard assays for BoNTs and shiga toxins from STEC. We have also determined the detection sensitivity of these assays in complex matrices of food and serum samples. A better understanding of the biology of toxins in animals and the factors that affect their toxicity, coupled with the development of more sensitive detection and simpler diagnostic tests, would be invaluable for advancing food safety and protection.
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