Rapid enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of<i>salmonella enteritidis</i>in eggs

Abstract

Rapid antibody‐based assays have been developed for the detection of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs. The assays consist of an initial non‐selective enrichment step in a chemically defined medium followed by either an indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or an antibody‐capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The limits of detection are 6 × 105 cells and 5×104 cells/ml respectively, and both assays are highly reproducible. A positive result is obtained from an egg inoculated with 10 S. enteritidis cells in 18 h using either assay. The potential for further improvements is discussed.