Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs by the polymerase chain reaction

Woodward, M. J. and Kirwan, S. E. S. (1996) Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs by the polymerase chain reaction. Veterinary Record, 138 (17). pp. 411-413. ISSN 0042-4900

Abstract/Summary

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the specific detection of the gene sequence, sefA, encoded by all isolates of Salmonella enteritidis, was developed. The PCR could detect as few as four S enteritidis washed bacterial cells but egg contents inhibited the PCR. Eggs spiked with 50 S enteritidis bacterial cells were homogenised, inoculated into buffered peptone water and grown at 37 degrees C for 16 hours, when the PCR was successful. A positive internal control was developed to differentiate between true and false negative PCR results for the detection of S enteritidis. In a limited trial of the egg handling procedures and the PCR, one of 250 chickens' eggs from retail outlets was found to be contaminated with S enteritidis.