Comparison of methods for the detection ofSalmonella in poultry

The aim of this study was to compare 2 testing methods forSalmonella in poultry. One-day-old specific-pathogen-free chicks were infected via crop installation with aSalmonella test strain (Salmonella Enterititis phage type 4; Bundesintitut für gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz und Veterinärmedizin-No. 01–00554; nalidixic acid resistant). Samples were collected at 7 sample occasions to redetect the agent from the animals and the environment. Using conventional techniques and PCR, the test strain was successively detected in the animals as well as in the environment of the flocks. In comparison, PCR was more effective. First positive findings were obtained from cloacal swabs at the third sampling occasion. Most frequentlySalmonella was obtained from ceca and from spleen samples, indicating that these 2 organs are most suitable forSalmonella testing. Cloacal swabs were positive earlier; however, ceca and spleen samples were positive more consistently. Conventional methods as well as PCR were suitable for detection ofSalmonella.