Pathatrix

Pathatrix is a high volume recirculating immuno magnetic-capture system developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific (and supplier parts by Life Technologies) for the detection of pathogens in food and environmental samples.

History

Pathatrix and its Pathatrix Recirculating Immunomagnetic Separation System (RIMS) was used in 2006 to detect the E. coli O157:H7 strain in contaminated spinach using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The Pathatrix system is used by regulatory agencies and food companies around the world as a reliable method for detecting pathogens in food.

Unlike other detection methods, Pathatrix allows the entire pre-enriched sample or large pooled samples to be recirculated over antibody-coated paramagnetic beads. It can specifically isolate pathogens directly from food samples and in conjunction with quantitative PCR can provide results within hours. It is also used to improve the performance of other rapid methods such as PCR, lateral flow, ELISA and chromogenic media by reducing or eliminating the need for lengthy pre-enrichment and/or selective enrichment steps. The Pathatrix is useful in pathogen labs that would be running food samples and looking for foodborne diseases.

The Pathatrix is a rapid test method and Pathatrix pooling allows the screening of large numbers of food samples in a highly cost-effective way for specific pathogens such as E. coli O157, Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes.

The Pathatrix will selectively bind and purify the target organism from a comprehensive range of complex food matrices (including raw ground beef, chocolate, peanut butter, leafy greens, spinach, tomatoes). The Pathatrix is a microbial detection system that allows for the entire sample to be analyzed.

Further reading

• A.Y Asahina, R. Fujioka, A. Henry, P.C. Loh (2007) Using Indigenous Mollusks and Pathatrix to Detect Pathogens in Water. Dept. of Microbiology, University of Hawaii-Manoa, USA (34th Annual International Global Health Conference, Washington, D.C., USA, May 29 - June 1, 2007)
• D.E. Hanes, L. Ewing-Peeples, M.H. Kothary, B.D. Tall (2008) Isolation of Francisella tularensis from Foods Using the Pathatrix Immunomagnetic Capture System. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Laurel, MD, USA (6th ASM Biodefense & Emerging Diseases Research Meeting, Baltimore, MD, USA, February 24 – 27, 2008)
• E. Papafragkou, M. Plante, K. Mattison, S. Bidawid, K. Karthikeyan, J.M. Farber, L.A. Jaykus (2008) Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) in Representative Food Matrices. Dept. of Food Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA & Health Canada, Food Directorate, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Ottawa, Ont., Canada (Journal of Virological Methods, 2008, 147, p177-187
• S. Himathongkham, M.L. Dodd, J.K Yee, D.K. Lau, R.G. Bryant, A.S. Badoiu, H.K. Lau, L.S. Guthertz, L. Crawford-Miksza, M.A. Soliman, (2007) Recirculating Immunomagnetic Separation and Optimal Enrichment Conditions for Enhanced Detection and Recovery of Low Levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from Fresh Leafy Produce and Surface Water. Food and Drug Laboratory Branch, California Dept. of Public Health, Richmond, CA & U.S. Food and Drug Administration, San Francisco District Laboratory, Alameda, CA, USA (Journal of Food Protection, 2007, 70, No 12, p2717-2724))
• Wu, Vivian (February 2004), "Rapid Protocol(5.25H) For The Detection Of Escherichia coli In Raw Ground Beef By An Immuno-Capture System (Pathatrix) In Combination With Colortrix and CT-SMAC", Journal of Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology, 2, (2004)57-67