Comparison of Conventional Culture Methods and Two Commercial Enzyme Immunoassays for Detection of Salmonella in Porcine Fecal Samples and Cecal Contents

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Abstract
Two commercial enzyme immunoassays, designated EIA-1 and EIA-2, for the detection of salmonella in feces and cecal contents were compared to conventional culture methods. Out of 362 cecal content samples, 35 were positive by EIA-1 and 30 were positive by EIA-2 and conventional methods. Out of 189 fecal samples, 41 were positive by EIA-1, 30 were positive by EIA-2, and 24 were positive by conventional culture methods. The EIA-1 assay method detected more positive samples overall, although only comparison of the fecal samples was statistically significant. The results indicate that the EIA-1 method is rapid, requiring only 24 hours, and may be more sensitive than the EIA-2 assay and conventional culture techniques. Enzyme immunoassays for the detection of salmonella in fecal samples or cecal contents provide a reasonable alternative to conventional culture techniques.