Comparison of LFA with PCR and RPLA in detecting SEB from isolated clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus and its application in food samples

Three sensitive and specific assays, the lateral flow assay (LFA), polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) and reversed passive latex agglutination assay (RPLA), were selected for detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) from 77 clinical Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from humans. Analytical results revealed that the LFA has almost the same detection sensitivity as that of PCR and RPLA. The concordances between the 3 assays were as follows: LFA–PCR, 92.2%; LFA–RPLA, 94.8%; and PCR–RPLA, 97.4%. For further evaluation, the LFA was used for the detection of SEB in different food matrices. The assay was able to successfully identify SEB in a wide variety of food samples at levels as low as 10 ng/mL in less than 10 min. This study proved that the LFA is an excellent tool for detection of SEB both in isolated clinical S. aureus strains and in food specimens and may prove particularly important as an early warning tool to prevent food poisoning in consumers.