Rapid enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for the detection ofsalmonella enteritidisin eggs

Abstract
Rapid antibody‐based assays have been developed for the detection of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs. The assays consist of an initial non‐selective enrichment step in a chemically defined medium followed by either an indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or an antibody‐capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The limits of detection are 6 × 105 cells and 5×104 cells/ml respectively, and both assays are highly reproducible. A positive result is obtained from an egg inoculated with 10 S. enteritidis cells in 18 h using either assay. The potential for further improvements is discussed.