Modular compositing-multiple lot screening protocols for detection of pathogens, microbial contaminants and/or constituents
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of sampling, testing and validating test lots for microbial contamination, comprising:
- a) collecting a plurality of portions from each of a plurality of test lots, the test lots each comprising an assemblage of one or more specimens, wherein each test lot is separately sampled by taking said plurality of portions thereof;
b) combining the collected plurality of portions corresponding to each of the separate test lots to provide a corresponding set of separate test lot samples, wherein each separate test lot sample is attributed to a particular corresponding separate test lot;
c) incubating the set of separate test lot samples under conditions suitable to allow levels of a target microbial agent or organism that is present in one or more of the separate test lot samples to reach detectable levels and become uniform, or substantially uniform, throughout the respective one or more separate test lot samples, to provide a set of separate test lot samples enriched for the target microbial agent or organism;
d) removing portions of each enriched separate test lot sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and
e) testing of the composite sample, using a suitable detection assay, for the target microbial agent or organism, wherein when such testing is negative all of said separate test lot samples are validated, and wherein when such testing is positive, individual separate test lots are validated by further testing of a portion of the respective enriched separate test lot sample using the same or a more sensitive protocol and obtaining test result for each test lot.
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Abstract
Particular aspects provide a method of sampling, testing and validating test lots (e.g., single-unit production lots), comprising: assembling a plurality of product portions from each of a plurality of test lots and combining the collected product portions to provide a corresponding set of test lot samples (wherein each test lot sample is attributed to a particular corresponding test lot); enriching the set of test lot samples; removing equal portions of each enriched sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and testing of the modular composite sample for the target agent/organism, wherein where such testing is positive, individual test lots may nonetheless yet be validated by further testing of a respective enriched test lot sample and obtaining a negative test result. The methods have broad utility for monitoring all sort of test lots (e.g., environmental lots, production lots, pharmaceutical lots, etc.) and for efficiently affecting informed, targeted remedial measures.
11 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of sampling, testing and validating test lots for microbial contamination, comprising:
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a) collecting a plurality of portions from each of a plurality of test lots, the test lots each comprising an assemblage of one or more specimens, wherein each test lot is separately sampled by taking said plurality of portions thereof; b) combining the collected plurality of portions corresponding to each of the separate test lots to provide a corresponding set of separate test lot samples, wherein each separate test lot sample is attributed to a particular corresponding separate test lot; c) incubating the set of separate test lot samples under conditions suitable to allow levels of a target microbial agent or organism that is present in one or more of the separate test lot samples to reach detectable levels and become uniform, or substantially uniform, throughout the respective one or more separate test lot samples, to provide a set of separate test lot samples enriched for the target microbial agent or organism; d) removing portions of each enriched separate test lot sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and e) testing of the composite sample, using a suitable detection assay, for the target microbial agent or organism, wherein when such testing is negative all of said separate test lot samples are validated, and wherein when such testing is positive, individual separate test lots are validated by further testing of a portion of the respective enriched separate test lot sample using the same or a more sensitive protocol and obtaining test result for each test lot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33)
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17. A method of sampling, testing and validating test lots for microbial contamination, comprising:
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a) collecting a plurality of portions from each of a plurality of single-unit production lots, the single-unit production lots each comprising an assemblage of one or more production specimens, wherein each single-unit production lot is separately sampled by taking said plurality of portions thereof; b) combining the collected plurality of product portions corresponding to each of the separate single-unit production lots to provide a corresponding set of separate single-unit production lot samples, wherein each separate single-unit production lot sample is attributed to a particular corresponding separate single-unit production lot; c) incubating the set of separate single-unit production lot samples under conditions suitable to allow levels of a target microbial agent or organism that is present in one or more of the separate single-unit production lot samples to reach detectable levels and become uniform, or substantially uniform, throughout the respective one or more separate single-unit production lot samples, to provide a set of separate single-unit production lot samples enriched for the target microbial agent or organism; d) removing portions of each enriched separate single-unit production lot sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and e) testing of the composite sample, using a suitable detection assay, for the target microbial agent or organism, wherein when such testing is negative all of said separate single-unit production lot samples are validated, and wherein when such testing is positive, individual separate single-unit production lots are validated by further testing of a portion of the respective enriched separate single-unit production lot sample using the same or a more sensitive protocol and obtaining test result for each single-unit production lot. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification