Comparison of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay with a culture method for the detection of Salmonella in retail meat samples.

摘要

A novel real-time PCR method is described and compared with a conventional International Organization for Standardization culture method for the detection of Salmonella in Irish beef, chicken meat, pork and turkey meat. After selective enrichment, all meat samples (n = 100) were subjected to DNA extraction and real-time PCR analysis using primers against a Salmonella spp. specific gene (16S rRNA) or the invA virulence gene, and plated on differential media and identified as Salmonella using immunological and subtyping methods. Retail samples (5/100) were found to contain Salmonella using the 16S rRNA gene-based real-time PCR assay and the standard culture method. However, only 2 of 5 samples were found to contain Salmonella using the invA gene-based real-time PCR assay. For the sample set examined, the developed 16S rRNA gene-based real-time PCR assay demonstrated comparable specificity and sensitivity to the currently used standard culture method but was considerably more rapid.