Rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni using fluorescent microspheres as label for immunochromatographic strip test

Campylobacter jejuni is a worldwide foodborne pathogen recognized as a leading cause of human gastrointestinal enteritis. A rapid, sensitive, and specific method is required to monitor food and water in cases of contamination by this pathogen. This report presents a novel immunochromatographic test (ICT) using fluorescent microspheres labeled with polyclonal antibodies of C. jejuni as the capture reagent dispensed onto the conjugate pad. Polyclonal antibodies against the outer membrane protein PEB1 of C. jejuni were used as the detective reagent at the test line, whereas the goat anti-rabbit IgG was used on the control line. PEB1 was obtained by gene cloning and expression to prepare its antibody. In this study, a simple and rapid ICT is reported for detecting C. jejuni for the first time with a detection limit of 10⁶ CFU/ mL.