Chapter 9 - Developments in Detection Strategies for Salmonella Enteritidis in Layer Hen Flocks

Abstract

The strategy for the detection of Salmonella Enteritidis in layer hen flocks has changed over the last 25years. Serology did not effectively provide the answers, so the focus went to culturing birds and eggs. Neither was feasible as a screening test; however, each one serves as a means of confirming positive flocks. It was determined that the environment of the house would be the means of detection. Because of the organic and bacterial loads on these samples, the isolation methods had to be optimized. This led to improvements in the enrichment and plating media. The focus now has turned to molecular methods of detection. These still require enrichment of the sample and subsequent culture of the positives for confirmation. As the molecular methods become widely used and confidence in their results develops over time, culture confirmation will not be as important. With serotype-specific or multiplex polymerase chain reaction systems, companies can receive information on not only the presence or absence of Salmonella, but also whether specific serotypes are present.