A method based on the ligation detection reaction–universal array (LDR–UA) for the detection and characterization of Listeria and Campylobacter strains

Listeria and Campylobacter genera include some of the most widely spread human pathogens across Europe and represent a serious health threat, especially to children, immunocompromised people and pregnant women. Both genera are frequently isolated from farm animals and food; therefore, their rapid detection is important for food safety and to prevent disease outbreaks. A rapid detection approach based on the combination of ligation detection reaction and universal array (LDR–UA) was developed to reveal the presence of Listeria and Campylobacter pathogenic species and to identify the Division (I, II and III) of L. monocytogenes isolates. The approach was tested first on reference strains then on field isolates. The LDR–UA approach showed high sensitivity and high specificity in reliably discriminate target sequences differing in as little as one base pair, thus facilitating the discrimination of closely related strains.