Automated spiral plate counting using ProtoCol imaging systems from Synbiosis helped identify the source of a serious salmonella outbreak in Scotland last year
The Synbiosis ProtoCol system used in conjunction with spiral plating at the microbiology department of the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, helped to locate the source of last year's outbreak of salmonella food poisoning in Scotland, which affected 36 people.
ProtoCol was used to automate spiral plate counts of viable organisms on plate count agar of over 50 food samples from three different Chinese restaurants.
The microbiology department used the system's camera control and integrated software to quickly indicate which foods contained a large number of viable organisms.
Further tests on a smaller number of suspected samples then narrowed it down to chicken in a sauce supplied to restaurants by a local retailer.
Nigel Clarke, head of quality control at the Western General's microbiology department, said: "Once parameters for colony counting are set, ProtoCol can evaluate a plate in seconds and because there is no personal bias, counts are reliable.
In an outbreak, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack, since there are a large number of samples to evaluate quickly to try and prevent further cases.
For this situation, we consider ProtoCol the best system available for rapid colony counts." Simon Johns, international product manager for Synbiosis commented: "We have worked closely with the world's leading manufacturer of spiral platers for many years to ensure that ProtoCol analyses spiral plate sectors consistently and reproducibly.
We are convinced it will not only make it easier for microbiologist to trace sources of food poisoning but will also prove invaluable with all types of rapid food quality assurance."
