CA2056581A1 - Microbial inhibition test kit and method - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A test kit and method for the detection of antimicrobial drugs at low concentrations in a sample in a test container, such as milk, which includes a Bacillus stearothermophilus (BST) tablet and a medium tablet with nutrients to stress the BST
and, optionally, a pH indicator. The method comprises preheating a test sample to destroy natural inhibitors, cooling the sample, adding a BST tablet, rapidly heating to effect synchronization of BST germination, adding a medium tablet, incubating and detecting the presence or absence of the antimicrobial drug.
The test apparatus includes optionally a test apparatus for the controlled, sequenced heating and cooling of the test sample.

Description

20~6~81 D~SCRIPTION

Microbial Inhibition Test Yit and Method Reference to Prior Applications This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. S.N.
07/614,729, filed November 16, 1990 which is a continuation application of U.S. S.N. 07/190,041, filed May 4, 1988, now abandoned.
Background of the Inve~tion t Antimicrobial drug~, particularly those used in animal feed or to treat animals, have been found in mllk and food products, such as for example, beta lactams like penicillin and/or tetracyclines, and more recently sulfa drugs like sulfonamides, such as sulfamethazine, have been detected in food products. The detection of these drugs at low levels are most important, particularly sulfa drugs which are allergenic and possibly carcinogenic in nature, even at low levels. Milk is routinely tested for the presence of drugs, like beta lactam, by the use of an inhibition disc assay method. However, such assay method does not detect sulfa drugs or certain other antimicrobial drugs at very low levels.
One technique for detecting sulfa drugs in milk at low level~ is by the employment of high pressure liquid chromatography ~HPLC) or by receptor assay test method (see U.S. Patents 4,239,745 and 4,239,852, both issued December 16, 1980). Both of such test methods are cumbersome and require costly equipment and highly trained technicians.
A microbiological growth inhibition test method to detect sulfonamides in milk for example has been reported and described in European patent specification 79200277.6 by Beuker3 et al, 30 published December 12, 1979. This te3t method has been described as an improvement on the test described in ~ritish patent specification 1 q67 ~39, published March 16, 1977 to Lameris -2- 20~6~8~
et al. The Beukers et al test method places spores of 8acillus stearothermophilus (BST) into a buffered agar solution, and the agar is solidified to form a support medium. The BST in the agar solution is prevented from germinating by lack of nutrients in the agar and/or by low temperature. The nutrients for the growth of the BST are prepared separately and are either placed in a tablet or on a disc, with the tablet or disc placed on the solid agar medium containing the BST before carrying out a test. A test sample is then added and the sensitivity for sulfa drugs i9 increased by the addition of trimethoprin while an indicator is added either to the agar solution prior to solidification or to the nutrients 90 as to provide for increased sensitivity for sulfa drugs. However, sensitivlty is not less than about 100-500 ppb.
It is desirable to provide for a microbial inhibition test kit, method and apparatus which is simple and effective to employ and is sufficiently sensitive to detect very low levels of drugs, particularly sulfamethazine in milk and other products.
SummarY of the Inve~tio~
The present invention relates to a test kit and method for the detection of drugs, and more particularly to a test kit, including a controlled heating and cooling apparatus, and method which is sensitive to sulfa and other drugs particularly at a level of less than about 50 ppb.
The present invention concerns a microbial inhibition test kit suitable for the screening of drugs at low concentration levels, particularly sulfa drugs, like sulfonamides and more particularly, sulfamethazine, for example, in various products, such as food products, and particularly milk and dairy products.
The test kit comprises a first BST tablet containing a mixture which includes a thermophilic, spore-forming bncteria sensitive to the drugs to be tested, And more pArticulArly UAcillus stearothermophllus (BST), the BST in n low, but effective amount and which BSq~ is inhibited in growth by the presence Oe a drug in the sample. Typically, the first tablet is a low 2~565~

moisture-containing, compressed, BST-containing tablet which also contains a stabilizer for the BST spores in an inert filler-type material. The tablet contains a low moisture lev~l, for example, less than 2 percent, and more particularly, less than 1 percent moisture and is compressed under such conditions so as to reduce any damage to the BST spores with generally compression being accomplished with a pressure for example of 5 to 10 newtons, for example, 3 to q newtons. The BST tablet generally contains a stabili~er for the BST spores, such as for example a carbohydrate, such as lactose, or an amino acid source, such as peptone, or more particularly, a comblnation thereof. The BST tablet usually contains a powdered, inert, water insoluble filler material to provide bulk for compression.
Such a material may vary widely, but usually comprises for example a cellulose-type material such as an ethyl or propylcellulose or micro crystalline cellulose or celluloid powder. Compression of the BST tablet should take place under such time, temperature, pressure and friction conditions so as to prevent any substantial destruction of the BST spores in the tablet. The first 8ST
tablet may also contain other ingredients, including a small amount of agar or other medium.
The test kit also includes a medium tablet which contains nutrients for the BST spores ln the first BST tablet, the amount, type and concentration of nutrients present in the medium tablet are present sufficient to permit the detectable growth of the BST spores, but sufficiently low to provide low resistivity to the drug to be tested, 90 as to stress the BST during the test procedure and to provide for the detectlon of an antlmicrobial drug, particularly such as a sulfanomide, to a detection concentration of less than about 50 ppb and as low as 0.5 to 20 ppb. The medium tablet containin~ the nutrients may comprlse for example ~ E~ortlon of n nutrient broth at a level of for example O.q grams per liter or less, and more particularly carbohydrates as nutrients at a total amount of about 1.0 grams per liter or less. Suitable carbohydrates would 2~6~81 include, but not be limited to: glucose, fructose: sucrose:
and dextrose. Generally, amino acids may include, but not be limited to: tryptone, peptone and beef extract and similar products for example at a level of about 0.15 grams per liter or more particularly, 0.08 to 0.12 grams per liter.
Generally, the tablets include a buffer agent, such as alanine, and for example, a potassium or sodium phosphate buffer may be added to provide a pH of about 7.5. The tablets may include for example a salt, such as sodium chloride, as well as a non-ionic-type detergent, to enhance the 3ensitivity of the test. Further additives may include for example an antibiotic-free, non-fat dry milk where a test sample is derived from milk or a dairy product to reduce the variation in the test between test samples. The tablets also may include a thickening agent, such as a colloidal silica: a lubricant, such as a glycol, like polyethylene glycol: vitamin and phosphate sources. Other additlves may include for example a calcium-chelating agent present in an amount to complex or chelate calcium in the test sample, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acld ~EDTA) or ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA~ which additives are particularly effective in provlding a sensitive test to tetracycline and tetracycline-type antibiotics, providing a sensitivity for example of 25 to 50 ppb or less. Other additlves include antifoliate agents, such as trimethoprin (TMP) or methotrexate (MTX) or primethamine (PMA) to enhance the sensitivity of the test. The test results may be interpreted by the employment of a pH color indicator which can be based on an acid-base or redox or glucose monitoring and particularly where a pH color indicator is used, may comprise bromocre301 purple or phenol red or a redox color lndicator. UsUally, the pl~ color indicator is added to the medium tablet while the calcium chelating or anti~oli~te agents and buffers are u9ually Added to the medium tablet.
The test kit also includes a test container, such as for example a multiwell plate, a test tube in which the 8ST tablet, 2~6~8~

the medium tablet and test sample may be introduced, heated, cooled and incubated so as to permit the rapid and ef~icient assay screening of druqs by the absence of change or change in color of the pH indicator included or by monitoring the glucose.
The test method iB dlrected to a test or the determlnation of drugs, such as sulfa drugs and other antimicrobial drugs, in a test sample at a defined, low concentration level, particularly at concentration levels where sulfamethazine and sulfa drugs are below about 50 ppb. The test method comprises placing a defined amount of a test sample into a test container and heating the sample to a temperature sufficiently high to destroy the natural inhibitors in the sample, and thereby enhancing the further sensitivity of the test, such as for example, heating a test sample derived from raw or pasteurized mllk to a temperature of about 100C for about one to five minutes. The test method includes cooling the heated sample to a defined lower temperature, for example, to a temperature of less than about 85C and more particularly, about 80C to 85C. The test method then includes adding the BST-containing tablet to the cooled test sample, the tablet comprising a low moisture-containing, compressed tablet of the BST spores, a stabilizer and an inert bulking and filler material. Thereafter, the test container with the BST spores and the sample are rapidly heated to a defined temperature to heat shock the BST ~pores so as to affect generally synchronous germination of the BST
spores. Generally, the rapid heating of the BST spores in the test sample is done to a temperature of about 100C or more for about 0.1 to 2 minutes. Antifoliate agents such as TMP
tend to be destroyed on heating therefore, TMP is typically added to both the ~ST tablet and the medium ~ablet~ to insure the presence of TMP in the te~t to enhanas ~ensitivity particularly for sulfa drugs.
The test method includes adding a medium tablet containing the nutrients to the heat-shocked BST ~pores and test sample -6- ~5~8~
in the container. A medium tablet comprising nutrients merely sufficient for the growth of the 8ST spores, but sufficiently low to provide for low resistivity to the drug to be tested so that the test i9 particularly ~ensitive. The test container s containing the test sample, BST and medium with the nutrients are then incubated, for example, at an incubation temperature of 65C~1C and incubation time for about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. The test method includes terminating the incubation at the defined end of the incubation period, either by removing the test sample from the incubator or by rapidly increasing the incubating temperature to over about 75C for a time period to terminate further growth of the BST.
Thereafter, the presence or absence of the drug in the sample within a defined concentration level is detected, particularly simply by observing the absence or change of color of the pH
color indicator included or by glucose monitoring or a redox indicator. A sulfa drug, particularly a sulfamethazine, present in an amount of less than 20 ppb will test positive. The sensitivity may be as low to sulfa drugs like sulfamethazine, as low as 10 ppb or lower, thereby providing for an extremely 3ensitive test kit and method for hitherto available to possible.
The test kit and method permits the sensitive determination of antimicrobial drugs in a wide variety of materials, particularly in food products and body fluids, for example, but not limited to: raw and pasteurized milk: urine; and other body fluids: and meat. Generally, test samples taken from the material to be tested are placed in liquid form and a deflned volume of liquid may be optionally added to the test container, while the tested material placed in liquid form and liquid aliquots taken. The test kit and method are sensitive for example to 0.5 to 20 ppb levels o~ sulfonamides depending on the individual sulfa drugs tested. 'rlle test kit and method also have excellent sensitivity to aminoglycocides, especially to gentamicin to a level of about 30 to 80 ppb and neomycin to a level of about 100 ppb or less. The assay may be psrformed 2~5~

in any test container, such as test tube or a plate and i!lcubated in a heat block or water shaker bath.
The test method may be carried out in an automatic system and apparatus wherein preheating, cooling, heat activation and incubation are controlled in a single, automated system and apparatus. The test kit may include a control apparatus which comprises a metal heating block, such as for example, made oE
aluminum, having at least one and typically a plurality of openings therein to form and arrange for the insertion of a test container, more generally a test tube, to be heated with electrical means, e.g. coils in the block, to heat the metal block so that the test tube and the test sample will be rapidly heated to defined temperatures as required in the test method.
The test apparatus also includes a separate metal cooling block, typically of aluminum, and generally of defined and greater mass than the heating block to provide for the rapid cooling of the heating block when placed in contact therewith to the defined cooled temperature as required in the test method.
Generally, the heating and cooling biocks are placed in a spaced apart heating position when the heating of the sample containers are required and are placed in an ad~acent, contacting, heat exchange cooling position when cooling of the sample containers are required. The heating and cooling blocks are moved between positions by tilting the control apparatus to provide for slidable movement of the blocks. The incubation i5 done in the tilted position to enhance the oxygen transfer rate. The test apparatus also includes electrical circuitry and control programming means based in the test method to provide for the sequential timed heating of the heating block and to signal the time period for the movement of the heating and cooling b30aks between heatlng and cooling positions and to provide signal moans, e.g. light~
or audible means, for the termination of the various test steps . . and the termination of the incubation and termination of the test sequence. While the control apparatu3 is useful in the test method, the control apparatus may be usefully employed 2 ~

where rapld heating and cooling of test samples at defined test times are of importance.
The test kit and method have significant advantages Gver prior art inhibition, disc-type tests in that the test kit and S method do not require the employment of agar or an agar-type support. The use of a separate ~ST tablet and a medium tablet provides for a long shelf life, typically of at least a year, and where storage may be accomplished at amblent temperatures, such as 60F to 70F. In contrast, the prior art test method requires a solid agar medium with the BST which has a limited shelf life of not more than about three to 8iX months and which medium must be stored at refrigerated temperatures of 40F.
The test kit and method are also more sensitive than the prior art test. The test kit and method do not require the employment of a paper disc or the reading of the test sample by visual examinatlon of a zone of inhibition around the periphery of the disc. Therefore, the test kit and method represent a significant advance, both in simplicity, convenience, shelf life and sensitivity in the determination of antimlcrobial drugs.
The test kit and method have been described as employing separate SST and medium tablets; however, it is recognized that a single tablet may be prepared and used rather than separate tablets provided that the single tablet or composition preparation prevents the growth of the BST in the tablet in the presence of the nutrients, such as for example by segregating, coating or otherwise treating the BST spore~ or the nutrients to prevent interaction and provide for long shelf life.
The test kit, including the control apparatus, and method provide a simple, antimicrobial drug screening test. The test is sensitive to beta lactams, tetracycline, sulfa drugs, amino glycocides and macrolides concentration levels as follows, with the following concentration range ln ppb per mlnimum positive color:

2~5~

Penicillin 2.4 to 3.6 Sulfamethazine 15-20 Sulfadimethoxine 8-10 Gentamicin 30-80 Oxytetracycline 80-100 ~C l1171~
Tylo~in 40-60 The test kit and method are a qualitative test kit and method intended for determining antimicrobial drugs, particularly for raw and pasteurized milk testing. The tablets in the test kit may still have a shelf life at room temperature at 20C to 25C
for up to one year. The test kit and method develop ln approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes. The test kit may also contain for example microbial tabletæ in a blister pack for example of 20, medium tablets in blister packs for example of 20, negative control tablets in blister packs of 2, a pipet, water, pipet tips and test tubes. The equipment employed lnclude an automatic test block to carry out the test sequence, test tube caps which are reusable, a 0.2 ml pipet and a marker pen.
The ingredients and additives as described for use in the 8ST and medium tablets may vary as desired and may be ad~usted in order to provide for particularly sensitive detection of particular drugs. Typically, the 8ST spores should not be used in excess, but sufficient to permit growth and to provide for detection of the antimicrobial drug, and generally are employed for example in the amount of 106 to 107 spores per tablet.
The test kit, method and apparatus of the invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in connection with certain preferred, illustrated embodiments; however, it is recognized that various changes, modifications, additions and improvements may be made to the test kit, method and apparatus by those persons skllled ln the art without departing ~rom the spirit and scope o~ the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs Pig. l is a perspective illustrative view from above of a test apparatus for carrying out the test method of the invention showing the test apparatus in a heating position.

2~56~

Fig. 2 is a perspective, illustrative view from above of the test apparatus of Fig. 1 showing the test apparatus in a tilted position for cooling and incubation.
Pig. 3 is an illustration of the front control panel of the test apparatus of Fig. 1 .
Fig. ~ is an illustratlve, partially sectional sido plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 Pig. 5 is an illustrative, partially sectional side plan view of the test apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 is an illustrated electrical circuitry and programming diagram of the test apparatus.
Pig. 7 is an illustrated electrical circuitry diagram of the electrical power supply used in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a graphical illustration of a test method employing the test appara~us showing the temperature in degrees Centigrade (Temperature Deg C) versus the time in mlnutes ~Tlme Mlns) of a test sample.
Pig. 9 is an enlarged graphical illustration of a portion of the test method shown in Fig. 8.
De~cription of the ~bodiment~
Compressed, low moisture ~ST and medium tablets were prepared with the following composition:
8ST Medium IngredlentsTablet Tablet 1. Mlcrocrystalline cellulose 22.6 mg 25.5 mg (tablet bulking agent and binder) 2. Sodlum chloride (isotonlc agent)1.6 mg 1.6 mg 3. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 600.0 ug 600.0 ug (lubrlcant) 4. a)Powdered milk - skimmed, dried,953.0 ug 953.0 ug antibiotic-free ~general supplement and nutrient) a) The powdered milk may be substltuted by other materials where the test i3 designed to test other samples, such as urine or blood. The presence of the antiblotic-free test sample materials aids in elimlnatlng dlfferences between test samples.

2 ~ 8 1 5. Tryptone (amino acid supplement) 100.0 ug 100.0 ug 6. Alamine (amino acid supplement 100.0 ug 100.0 ug and buffer) 7. Potassium phosphate (buffering 76.0 ug 76.0 ug agent and phosphate source~

8. b)Peptone (amino acid source) 12.6 ug 12.6 ug 9. Bromocresol purple (pH indicator) 15.0 ug 15.0 ug 10. Colloidal silica (stabilizer and 8.3 ug 8.3 ug thickener) 11. Beef extract ~vitamin source) 0.74 ug 0.74 ug 12. d)Trimethoprin (optional folic 29.2 ~g 29.2 ug acid analog-sensitizer) 13. Non-ionic surfactant (to increase 0.15 ug 0.15 ug penetration of BST spores) 14. EGTA-chelating agent Tween-80 142.7 ug 142.7 ug 15. C)BST spores 2.90 ug -0-16. Glucose 500 ~g 500 ~g The above BST and medlum tablets used in a test tube as the test container with a liquid sample, such as milk, provide enhanced antimicrobial drug sensitivity in the described test method, as follows:

b) In the above example, the amino acid source is split between the tablets; however, 5% to 20~ of less of the amlno Acid source may be placed in the UST tnblet and the r~st in the medium tablot. The tota~ amino acid ~ouro~ is eixed to stress the BST to increase sensitivity.
c) The BST spores may vary in concentration, but never exceed 107/ml.
d) To increase gensitivity for sulfa drugs. The above tablets have a long shelf life and need not be refrigerated, but stored at room temperature, 20C to 25C, for up to one year.

MINIMAL DETECTION LEVELS

Prior Antibiotic ¦ ~A~t ¦Invention BETA-LACTAMSl l 5 Cephalexin ¦50 ¦ 50 Oxacillin I__ ¦ 8 Hetacillin ¦8 ¦ 10 Penicillin ¦2 ¦ 3 (various) 10 Cephapirin ¦8 ¦ 10 Cloxacillin ¦20 1 30 Ceftiofur 150 ¦ 40 Ampicillin ¦4 ¦ 4 Cefalonium 15 Cefadroxil Amoxicillin -13- 2~6~

I Prior Antibiotic I Art IInvention SULFONAMIDES l l Sulfamethoxazole I ~ 5 Sulfaquinoxaline I___ ¦ 8 Sulfamethizole ¦100 ¦ 10 Sulfisoxazole ¦100 ¦ 8 Sulfadimethoxine ¦100 ¦ ~
Sulfapyridine ¦250 ¦ 20 Sulfamethazine ¦500 ¦ 15 Sulfadiazine ¦250 ¦ 20 Sulfachloropyridazine ¦ --- ¦ 5 Sulfamerazine I___ ¦ 20 Sulfathiazole ¦100 ¦ 10 Dapsone I___ ¦ 0.5 Sulfacetamide I___ ¦ 50 Sulfanilamide ¦1000 ¦ 50 Sulfadoxine I ~ 5 AMINOGLYCOSIDES¦
Streptomycin ¦ 4000 ¦ 600 Kanamicin ¦ 10000 ¦1500 Gentamicin ¦ 250 ¦ 50 Neomycin ¦1000 ¦ 75 --lq--Prior Antibiotic ¦ Art ¦ In~ention MACROLIDES¦ l Erythromycin ¦ 400 ¦ 200 Tylosin ¦ 100 ¦ 40 TET~ACYCLINES¦
Tetracycline ¦200 1 5,0 Chlorotetracycline ¦ 500 1 150 Oxytetracycline ¦200 1 80 OTHERS

Novobiocin ¦ 500 ¦ 600 I

2~6~ ~

The test kit and method provides for nutrients and bacteria or BST spores stabilized in dry, compressed tablets (separately or together1 which are introduced into a liquid sample. The test method in the liquid phase does not require any agar or diffusion barrier, thus better contact of inhibitors and nsT
spores or bacteria is achieved. The test method may use test tubes and multiwell plates and be incubated in the standard form heat block/water bath or employing the control test apparatus. The composition of the tablets and test method, e.y. heating times, may vary to provide for select sensitivity to particular antimicroblal drugs, such as the variation in BST spore concentration. As illu~trated, a pH color change indicator usually shows the test results with a yellow color indicating a negative test,and a blue color indicating a positive test e.g. sulfa drug present at a concentration level of greater than 10 ppb.
The microbial inhibition test method may be carried out without the use of the control special heating incubator-cooling test apparatus. The test method provides a single screening test based on color change with the test results for all members of an antimicrobial drug family. For example, in the described tablets, the concentration range ~ppb) for a minimum positive (blue) color would be: penicillin, 2.4-3.6s sulfamethazine, 15-20 sulfadimethoxine, 8-10: gentamicin, 30-80: and tetracycline, 30-80.
The test kit may comprise a plurality of separate BST
and medium tablets generally in a blister package form and one or more negative control tablets and requires distilled water.
The equipment required includes a fixed pipet, e.g. 0.2, and disposable pipet tips, test tubes or multiwell plates, dropp~r or drop dispenser, 66C shaker water bath with test tube rack and hot plate to boil water to timer. Then the te~t kit includes the control apparatus, the water bath, test tube rack and hot plate are not required.

2~5~

For esample, for testing a large number of samples, the test is conducted as follows:
1. Label test tubes (13 x 100 mm) and place in rack.
2. Add 0.6 ml distilled water into each test tube.
3. Add 0.2 ml of milk sample into teYt tube and mix well. Use new tip for each sample.
4. Heat test tubes in boiling water for 6 mlnutes.
Remove test tubes to table top to cool.
5. Add one microbial tablet to each test tube by pushlng the tablet through the blister into the test tube with the blunt end of a pencil.
6. Place test tube back in boiling water for 2 minuteY. Remove immediately after 2 minutes.
7. Let cool to the touch (tap water may be used to hasten cooling) and add one medium tablet to each test tube.
8. Cap test tubes with the plastic caps and place ln 66C ~ 1C shaker water bath. Set shaker at 100 rpm.
9. Start timer for incubation time specified on each kit, e.g. 3 hours.
10. When time i9 Up, remove test tubes from incubator.
11. Observe color change. Blue indlcates positive;
yellow-green is neg~tive.
Color can be stabilized for up to 24 hours by placing test tubes in boiling water for 2 minutes.
The time-temperature profiles will be the same or similar to those graphical profiles of a test shown in Pigs. 8 and 9 of the drawings.
The test method may be carrled out particularly for a continually and largc number of te~t samples employing n control test apparatus as illustrated particularly in Plgs. 1-5 of the drawings. The test apparatus is a combined automatic hcating incubator and coolex with circuitry and programming to provide for the signal and timed sequence of the test steps for ease of use of the test user. The apparatus 10 comprises a control housing 12 including a power supply (see Pig. 7~ and electrical circuitry (see Pig. 6) with a raised handle 14 and a control panel 16 on the top surface and a short support leg 24 on one side of the housing 12, the handle 14 permitting the user to tilt the apparatus 10 to a tilt position, for example, about 75 from hori~ontal and to rest the housing on support leg 24 in the tilt position. The apparatus includes a solid, slidable aluminum cooling block 18 with a plurality of uniformly disposed holes 26 passing therethrough for the insertion of test tubes 36 containing the test samples to be incubated. The apparatus 10 includes a golid dimension heating block 20 secured to the one side of the apparatus 10 and heat Lnsulated therefrom by a layer of rubber-foam insulating material 22. The heating block 20 also has a plurality of uniformly distributed holes 26 therein aligned with holes 28 of the cooling block 18 to receive and retain the bottom portion of the test tubes 36.
The cooling block 18 is designed of sufficient mass to provide for the desired rapid cooling of the heating block 20 and retained test tubes 36, while the heating block 20 has electrical heating coils (see Fig. 6) to provide for the heating-incubation of the test tubes 36 with the test samples. The test tubes 36 are illu~trated in dotted lines in Pig. 1 and 2 and shown with sealed caps in Pig. 3 and 4. The heating block 20 includes legs 30 to support the one side of the block 20. The cooling block 18 includes a central, fixed length rod 32 secured to the cooling block 18 and extending through a hole (not shown) in heating block 20 and designed to support the cooling block 18 in a spaced apart, non-cooling position above the heating block 20 when apparatus 10 i3 in a generally horizontal position ~see Figs. 1 and 4), the bottom portion of the rod 32 resting on the table support-like leg8 30. When the apparatus 10 is placed in a cooling position, the apparatus 10 ls tilted to rest on support 24 (see Fig. 2 and 4) through the use of handle 2 ~

14, so that the tilt permits the lower surface of the cooling block 18 now unsupported by rod 32 to slide into direct heat exchange contact with the top surface of heating block 20 (the heating or incubating then finished) and to permit rapid cooing of the block 20 and the retained test tubes 36 with the liquid samples 38. The tilt position is also designed to expose the maximum top surface of the liquid test sample 36 in the tilt position to expose the maximum surface of the test sample 38 to the air (see Pig. 4). The test apparatus optionally may include an Eppendorf fixed pipet 40 secured by chain or cable 52 to a screw on the housing (see Fig. l; not shown in Pigs.
2-4). The control apparatus provides for automatic, preset, preheating, cooling, incubation and fixation of test re~ults (tilt position).
The control panel 16 of apparatus 10 is shown more particularly in Pig. 3 and includes a start button S to start the automatic test cycles when the test tube 36 with sample 38 is inserted in holes 26 and 28. The panel includes aligned signal lights 44 with printed in3tructions opposite each light, the lights operating to signal action in the test method by the user. The panel 16 includes comparative negative and positive color indicators 46 so the test results can be compared with standard indicator colors. The test program can be reset by pressing buttons I and S together. Button I controls the start of the selected incubation period. The panel includes program button P with a digital LED readout 48. The user sets the proper program (time of incubation, etc.) by pushing button P to display a number according to the number on the microbial tablet, for example, numbers 1 to 9, with the tablet varied in concentration and ingredients for the detection of particular nntimicrobial drugs to a selected sensitlvity, and the proqram salected d~signed for particular matrices, such a8 milk, serum, urine, meat and eggs. For example, the number 5 as illustrated in display 48 is for fixed incubation time of 2:55 minutes with lower program numbers of lesser incubation time and higher program numbers -19- ~~t~
of greater incubation time for a variation of ~25-30 minutes in incubation time permitted to the user by the program P button.
Fig. 6 shows the program circuitry of the test apparatus 10, while Fig. 7 shows the power supply circuitry.
The test method for the test apparatus in the determination of 10 ppb or less of sulfa drugs in milk samples is as follows:
1. Press S and I buttons together to reset system.
Set proper program number on apparatus 10 by button P on panel 16 according to microbial tablet label, e.g. 5 as illustrated, incubation time 2:55 minutes.
2. Label test tube 36 (13 x 100 mm) to ldentify test samples using marker pen.
3. Draw 0.6 ml supplied dlstilled water and di3pense into test tube.
4. Mix milk test sample vigorously to resuspend fat. Add 0.2 ml milk to each tube, using pipet 40 and a new pipet tip for each sample.
FIRST TIM~ US~RS: Run a negative control along with samples until famlliar with colors. Add negative control tablet to 0.6 ml supplied distilled water.
Using pipet and a new pipet tip, add 0.2 ml additional supplied water.
5. Place test tube 36 in holes 26 and 28 of blocks 18 and 20 and press S button to start selected program.
6. When first green light turns on (approx. 6 min., 30 sec. preheat period), tilt apparatus 10 to rest on support 24 and to place block 18 and 20 in contact tsee Figs. 2 and 4) to cool test tube. When second green light turns on (approx. 1 min., 30 sec.), tilt block upright and immediately add one microbial tablet to each test tube by pushing through blister pack into test tube with the blunt end of A pen or pencil. Press I button.
7. When third green light turns on (approx. 1 min, 45 sec.), tllt block down.
8. When fourth green light turns on (approx. 6 mln.), tllt block upright and immedlately add one medlum tablet to each test tube by pushing through bli~ter pack into test tube. Shake test tube from side to side to disperse tablet (5 sec.). Cap test tube and immediately tilt block down.

2~56~81 ~20-9. When red light turns on (approx. 2 hrs., 55 min. incubatlon time), test is complete. (Caution:
heating block and test tube may be hot.) 10. Observe color of sample in fluorescent light or daylight and compare to color references to determine positive or negative.
The temperature C versus time in minutes graphical profile of the test sample above is illustrated in Fig. 8 (with the additional step of heating the test sample after incubation and observation of the test results to preserve the assay results heat to 90C for 2 minutes). Pig. 9 shows the enlarged temperature C versus time in minutes graphical profile of a representative test with the time in minutes at each point shown on the graph. This graphical profile is an enlarged portion lS of the first part of Fig. 8 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 for a specific sulfa drug test.
The invention provides a unique sensitive test method for the detection of low concentrations of antimicrobial drugs and other antimicrobial compounds, either manually or by use of the control apparatus iliustrated, which test method, test compositions and test kit and control apparatus have many advantages over the present prior art test methods and kits.

Claims (33)

1. Claim 1. A sensitive antimicrobial test method to test a sample for an antimicrobial drug, which method comprises:
   a) placing a defined amount of a liquid sample to be tested into a test container and are heating the sample to a temperature sufficient to destroy natural inhibitors in the sample;
   b) cooling the sample to a defined lower temperature;
   c) adding a BST tablet to the cooled liquid sample, the tablet comprising a compressed BST tablet containing an effective amount of Bacillus stearothermophilus (BST) spores which are inhibited in growth by the presence of the antimicrobial drug, a BST spore stabilizer and inert filler material;
   d) rapidly heating the BST spores and the sample in the container to a defined temperature to heat shock the BST spores so as to effect general synchronization of germination of the BST spores;
   e) adding a medium tablet to the heat-shocked BST
   spores and liquid sample, the medium tablet comprising amino acid and carbohydrate nutrients for the BST
   in a concentration sufficient to permit the growth of the BST spores, but sufficiently low to provide a low resistivity to the antimicrobial drugs to be tested;
   f) incubating the sample, BST spores and the medium in the test container in a tilted position at an incubation temperature for a defined incubation time period;
   g) terminating incubation at end of the a defined incubation time; and h) detecting the presence or absence of the antimicrobial in the sample at the defined low concentration.
2. Claim 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the test sample comprises a milk product.
3. Claim 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the defined low concentration level for sulfamethazine as an antimicrobial drug is less than about 50 ppb.
4. Claim 4. The method of claim 1 which includes adding a defined amount of distilled water to the sample placed in the test container.
5. Claim 5. The method of claim 1 which includes preheating the sample to a temperature of about 100°C for about 2 to 5 minutes to destroy natural inhibitors.
6. Claim 6. The method of claim 1 which includes cooling the sample to a temperature of about 85°C or less.
7. Claim 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the BST or medium tablet, or both, contain lactose and peptone as stabilizers and a cellulosic material as a filler material.
8. Claim 8. The method of claim 1 which includes rapidly heating the BST spores and sample to a temperature of about 100°C for about 0.1 to 2 minutes.
9. Claim 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the medium or BST
   tablet, or both, include a non-ionic surfactant.
10. Claim 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the medium tablet includes not more than about 0.5 mg of glucose as a carbohydrate and not more than about 0.11 mg of tryptan/peptone as an amino acid source.
11. Claim 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the medium or BST
    tablet, or both, include salt.
12. Claim 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the medium or BST
    tablet, or both, include a pH indicator which by change of color permits the detecting of the antimicrobial drug.
13. Claim 13. The method of claim 1 which includes incubating the sample BST and medium at a temperature of about 65°?C for about 2 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours.
14. Claim 14. The method of claim 1 which includes detecting the presence or absence of the antimicrobial by observation of a change in color in a pH indicator in one or both tablets.
15. Claim 15. The method claim of claim 1 which includes terminating the incubation of the sample by removing the sample and container from the incubator.
16. Claim 16. The method of claim 1 which includes terminating the incubation of the sample by rapidly increasing the incubating temperature to over about 75°C to 90°C for a time period of 5 minutes or more to terminate further growth of the BST.
17. Claim 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the BST and medium tablets are low moisture, compressed tablets, each comprising microcrystalline dried cellulose, powdered milk, glucose, polyethylene glycol, tryptone, alanine, a phosphate, a colloidal silica, sodium chloride, EDTA, peptone, and pH color change indicator.
18. Claim 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the BST and medium tablets include a sulfa drug sensitizing amount of trimethoprin.
19. Claim 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the BST tablet has less than about 2% moisture.
20. Claim 20. The test method of claim 1 which includes employing a plurality of test tubes or test containers and inserting the test tubes with the sample within holes in an aluminum heating block, adapted to be electrically heated, of an automatic programmed control apparatus.
21. Claim 21. The method of claim 19 which includes cooling the sample in the test tube for placing an aluminum cooling block in a direct heat exchange relationship with the heating block to provide for cooling the sample in the test tube for a cooling time period.
22. Claim 22. The method of claim 1 which includes providing control apparatus for insertion of test tubes with the sample and the automatic preheating, cooling, incubating in the tilt position and terminating of the sample by tilting of the control apparatus between a generally horizontal position and a tilted position responsive to signals to the user.
23. Claim 23. The method of claim 22 which includes a control panel with light signal means thereon to indicate the start and end of each test step and standard color indicators of positive and negative test results for comparison with the sample after testing.
24. Claim 24. A test kit for the screening of antimicrobial drugs in a sample which test kit comprises:
    a) a BST tablet which comprises BST spores in an effective amount which are inhibited in growth by the presence of an antimicrobial in the sample, a stabilizer for the BST spores and an inert powdered filler material:
    b) medium tablet which comprises an amino acid source and carbohydrate nutrients for the BST spores, and a pH indicator which permits the detection of the presence or absence of the antimicrobial in the sample, the nutrients present in a concentration just sufficient to permit the detectable growth of the BST spores, but sufficiently low to provide a low resistivity to the antimicrobial drug to be tested; and c) a test container in which the BST tablet, medium tablet, and sample maybe introduced to form a liquid sample and heated, cooled and incubated 90 as to permit the screening of antimicrobial drugs by the absence of change in pH or change in color of the pH indicator.
25. Claim 25. The test kit of claim 24 wherein the BST or medium tablet, or both, comprise a lactose and peptone stabilizer and a cellulosic inert filler and bulking material.
26. Claim 26. The test kit of claim 24 wherein the medium or BST tablet, or both, comprise a non-ionic surfactant, salt, glucose, a phosphate buffer and trimethoprin (TMP).
27. Claim 27. The test kit of claim 24 for the detection of tetracyclines as an antimicrobial drug and wherein the medium or BST tablet, or both, include a calcium chelating agent to increase the sensitivity of the test to tetracyclines.
28. Claim 28. The test kit of claim 24 wherein the BST tablet is a low moisture tablet having a moisture content of less than 2%.
29. Claim 29. The test kit of claim 24 which includes a test apparatus for the automatic, controlled, timed preheating, cooling and incubating of the test container.
30. Claim 30. An automatic test apparatus for use in the screening of antimicrobial drugs in a test method, which test apparatus comprises:
    a) a metal heating block means having at least one opening therein for the insertion of a test container to be heated and cooled with a sample therein and electrical means to heat the block means so that the container and sample will be heated rapidly to defined preheating and heating temperatures;
    b) a metal cooling block means to cool the heating block means with the container and sample therein to a defined cooler temperature;
    c) means to secure the heating and cooling block means between a separate, spaced apart, adjacent heating position wherein the heating block means heats the test container and is spaced apart from the cooling block means, and a contacting, heat exchange, cooling position wherein the heating block means with the container is cooled by direct heat exchange between the contacting heating block means and the cooling block means;
    d) slidable means to move the heating and cooling blocks; and e) electrical circuitry and programming means to provide for the automatic, timed, sequential heating of the heating block means to a defined heating and cooling temperature and including signal means to signal the timed periods for movement of the heating and cooling block means by the user between the heating and cooling position and the termination of the test method.
31. Claim 31. The test apparatus of claim 30 wherein the heating block and cooling block are composed of aluminum, and the heating and cooling block contains a plurality of generally uniformly aligned, spaced apart, circular openings to receive a plurality of test tubes to be employed as test containers.
32. Claim 32 The test apparatus of claim 30 wherein the means to move the heating and cooling block means between heating and cooling positions includes:
    a) rod means secured at the one end to the cooling block means and extending slidably through the heating block means to provide for the heating block means to be spaced apart from the cooling block means in a generally horizontal heating position, and for the heating block means and the cooling block means to be in direct heat exchange surface contact in a tilted cooling position so that the cooling block means may cool the heating block means to a lower temperature after the heating period: and b) handle means for the user to move the apparatus between the horizontal and tilted positions.
33. Claim 33. The test apparatus of claim 30 which includes a housing with a visible control panel on the top surface of the test apparatus, with the heating and cooling block means on one side of the housing, the heating block means fixedly secured to the one side of the housing and directly beneath the slidable cooling block means, the heating block means electrically heated by an electrical power supply and the control panel having a start (S) means to start, incubation means (I) for the start of the incubation time period, a program means (P) to having the user select the desired incubation time period and light signal means to indicate to the user the sequence of timed test steps.