Typing Techniques

Some of the typing techniques include sero-typing, phage-typing, and molecular typing.

Sero-typing and phage-typing are tests used for further characterization of these bacteria, depending on the serotype. Preparation and performance of rigorous quality control testing are done for the sero-typing of Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Phage-typing are fast, discriminatory sub typing method that can quickly provide information about bacterial strains within serotypes. It is a more economical and informative method for identification and control compared to sero-typing. Phage-typing can be used to subtype important pathogens like Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli.

As for molecular typing, it is a way to detect or characterize toxins produced by enteric pathogens like shiga-toxins, whereby atypical isolates may be needed for the detection of virulence factors or unique genes to confirm their identity.

Reference: http://www.mtt.fi/nkj//NKJsLivsmedelsrapport.doc