Abstract: Objective: To establish a multiplex PCR for simultaneously detecting Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in meat. Methods: The primers were designed according to Staphylococcus aureus nuc gene, Shigella spp. ipaH gene, Salmonella spp. invA gene and Listeria monocytogenes inlA gene. The target genes were amplified by multiplex PCR under optimized reaction conditions. Results: Four bacterial pathogens could be amplified, which revealed the special bands at the corresponding locations. When the meat samples were contaminated with four pathogens, the detection limits of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. were 102 CFU/mL, and the detection limits of Shigella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were 101 CFU/mL. Conclusion: The established multiplex PCR method is more specific, rapid, and sensitive than traditional detection methods, which is suitable for the rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in meat.

Key words: multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), pathogen, meat, detection