Abstract: Bacteriophage are combined with a test sample in an incubator, and the bacteriophage-exposed test sample is conjugated and applied to a sample pad in contact with a lateral flow strip to determine the presence or absence of a target bacterium. The conjugation may be performed in the sample pad or prior to application of the bacteriophage-exposed test sample to the pad. The incubator comprises a bacteriophage container and an incubation container separated by a valve. The test sample may be inserted into the incubation chamber using a swab or a rod with a piercing tip and a sample collection eye. The valve comprises a breakable stem. An antibiotic may be added to the test sample to determine the antibiotic resistance or susceptibility of the bacterium.

Abstract: A sample to be tested for the presence of a target microorganism is exposed to bacteriophage and conditions are provided to inhibit phage attachment to or replication in a potentially cross-reactive, non-target microorganism. The sample is incubated and assayed to detect the presence or absence of a bacteriophage marker to determine the presence or absence of the target microorganism. The inhibiting may comprise the addition of an inhibiting substance or the use of an inhibiting process. It may include inhibiting the growth of potentially cross-reactive bacteria while allowing growth of the target bacteria, selectively removing or blocking potential cross-reactive bacteria using selective binding agents or selectively destroying potentially cross-reactive bacteria.