A comparative study on the use of real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and standard isolation techniques for the detection of <i>Salmonellae</i> in broiler chicks

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare between conventional cultural isolation methods and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique for the detection of Salmonella in broiler chicks. About 120 livers and intestinal contents samples were collected from 1800 day-old imported and local broiler chicks. The incidence of Salmonellae among imported chicks was 11.67% compared to 21.67% among local chicks using conventional cultural isolation methods. Salmonella newport (S. newport) showed the highest incidence rate in imported chicks, while Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium were frequently detected in local chicks. The RT-PCR results for detection of invA gene of Salmonella spp. were 58.33% and 66.67% positive samples in imported and local chicks, respectively. Results have confirmed that RT-PCR technique is rapid, robust, effective and reliable method for detection of Salmonella spp. in broiler chicken when compared to conventional cultural methods. However, RT-PCR should be performed parallel with conventional methods for more accurate detection results of different Salmonellae serovars.