Microbial detection article
The disclosure provides an article for the detection of a microorganism in a liquid sample. The article comprises a microporous membrane and a barrier layer to selectively regulate the contact between the sample and a detection reagent. A method of use is also provided.
1. A method of detecting the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample, comprising:
providing,
a liquid sample suspected of containing a microorganism;
a detection article comprising:
a base member comprising a first dry coating that includes a cold water-soluble gelling agent;
a microporous membrane;
a cover sheet comprising a second dry coating that includes a first detection reagent;
a barrier layer that forms a fluid barrier between the microporous membrane and the cover sheet;
wherein the microporous membrane is disposed between the base member and the barrier layer;
contacting a predetermined amount of the sample with the first dry coating;
contacting the microporous membrane with the sample;
incubating the article for a first period of time;
repositioning the barrier layer to provide contact between the cover sheet and the microporous membrane;
incubating the article for a second period of time; and
observing an indication of the presence or absence of microbial growth.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein repositioning the barrier layer comprises removing the barrier layer from the article.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the article further comprises a spacer that forms a sample-receiving well with the base member, wherein contacting a predetermined amount of the sample with the first dry coating comprises transferring the sample into the sample-receiving well.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising mixing the sample with a nutrient, a selective agent, a second detection reagent, or a combination of any two or more of the foregoing.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first period of time is about 1 hour to about 48 hours.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the first period of time is about 4 hours to about 6 hours.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second period of time is about 15 minutes to 96 hours or less.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the second period of time is about 15 minutes to about 6 hours.
9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the second period of time is about 2 hours to about 4 hours.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first dry coating comprises a plurality of detection reagents, wherein observing an indication of microbial growth comprises detecting and differentiating two or more types of microorganisms.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein observing an indication of the presence or absence of microbial growth comprises enumerating at least one type of microorganism.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein observing an indication of the presence or absence of microbial growth comprises obtaining an image of the article.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein observing an indication of the presence or absence of microbial growth further comprises printing, displaying, or analyzing the image.