Multiplexed Detection of , , and in Raw Poultry.

The detection of foodborne pathogens is a critical aspect of ensuring food safety. Traditional methods rely on time-intensive enrichment steps and pathogen-specific assays, extending testing timelines and limiting throughput. This study evaluates an enrichment-free, multiplexed pathogen detection workflow combining the Pathotrak system for bacterial separation and the Neogen Molecular Detection System (MDS) for detection. The workflow enables simultaneous detection of , O157, , spp., and in poultry samples, significantly reducing the time taken to screen samples requiring further evaluation. The system's performance was assessed using inoculated chicken samples over a range of bacterial concentrations (10-10 CFU/mL). The MDS system demonstrated robust detection for most pathogens, with strong correlations between theoretical inoculation levels and MDS-calculated concentrations (R > 0.85 for all pathogens). However, detection variability was observed at lower concentrations for and . The system maintained high sensitivity and specificity, achieving a Cohen's Kappa coefficient for and . This study highlights the potential of enrichment-free, multiplex detection to streamline food safety testing by reducing the time to results, enhancing efficiency, and providing reliable pathogen quantification across multiple targets.