FLOW CYTOMETRY-BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING MICROBES

摘要

In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for detecting microbes in a sample. The methods are generally applicable to quantifying the number of target bacteria in a sample counted from a detection region of a flow cytometer histogram. The detection methods can be employed in the presence of other microorganisms and other non-target microbe components to selectively quantify the amount of a target microbe. The methods are advantageous over those presently existing for testing of foodstuffs and diagnostic evaluation in their speed, accuracy and ease of use. Various swab collection devices and kits useful for practicing the present disclosure are also described herein.

主权项

1. A flow cytometry method for detecting target microbes in a sample, said method comprising:
a) mixing the sample with a plurality of probes to form a tagged sample;
wherein the plurality of probes comprise at least one first probe and at least one second probe;wherein the at least one first probe targets the target microbes; andwherein each at least one first probe comprises at least one first tag having a first wavelength emission range;wherein each at least one first tag has a first wavelength emission range that is substantially similar to one another; andwherein the at least one second probe targets non-target microbe components of the sample; andwherein each at least one second probe comprises at least one second tag;wherein each at least one second tag has a second wavelength emission range that is different from the first wavelength emission range of the at least one first tag; b) introducing the tagged sample into a flow cytometer; and c) analyzing the tagged sample in the flow cytometer.