Legionella detection
Combination of volumetric immunoconcentration and magnetic detection
Porous filters are used as both a media for immunoconcentration and the solid phase of the assay. The reactive zone is a three-dimension filter, 2.6 - 5.5mm in diameter and 3 - 7mm long, sealed inside a tip or directly in a syringe.
In this sandwich immunoassay, the filter is coated with antibodiesspecific of the target antigen. Sample, magnetic reagent and washing solutions are passed through the filter either manually with a syringe or a pipette, or with any automated fluid-handling device.
Preliminary results have been already obtained :
For Legionella in water, a limite of detection as low as 103 cfu was achieved paving the way to skipping the time-consuming culture phase and thus providing results witin hours.
