REPORTER PLASMID PHAGE PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF BACTERIA
The invention is related to a transducing particle that comprises a bacteriophage coat and a DNA core that comprises plasmid DNA comprising: a) a host-specific bacteriophage packaging site wherein the packaging site is substantially in isolation from sequences naturally occurring adjacent thereto in the bacteriophage genome, b) a reporter gene, c) a bacteria-specific promoter operably linked to said reporter gene, d) a bacteria-­specific origin of replication, and optionally e) an antibiotic resistance gene. The invention includes phage transducing particles, methods of making transducing particles, and methods of using the transducing particles in bacterial detection.