Application of an ELISA for the routine detection ofSalmonellain chicken

Abstract
A system for detecting a wide range of Salmonella serotypes, based on a single non‐selective culture followed by a sandwich ELISA, was developed. The specificity of the monoclonal antibodies used replaces the chemical selectivity of normal enrichment broths, and the new method offers a considerable time saving. It was compared with the standard microbiological method for the detection of Salmonella in retail chicken samples in routine diagnostic laboratories. The results showed over 90% agreement for the ELISA between three laboratories, and, when culture false‐negatives were considered, 80% agreement for Salmonella detection between the new method and the conventional microbiological procedure.