Selective testing of ß-galactosidase activity in the laboratory identification of Salmonella and Shigella species.

Background: Salmonella and Shigella species are pathogens of great medical and public health importance. However, laboratory identification of these organisms is time consuming. Using current standard laboratory algorithms, the vast majority of organisms submitted for serological typing with Salmonella-specific and Shigella-specific antisera are not clinically significant.