Comparison of a Salmonella enteritidis-specific polymerase chain reaction assay to delayed secondary enrichment culture for the detection of Salmonella enteritidis in environmental drag swab samples.

The California Egg Quality Assurance Program uses the delayed secondary enrichment culture method for detecting Salmonella Enteritidis in environmental drag swabs obtained from commercial layer complexes. The turnaround time for this method is variable and is dependent on the prevalence of Salmonella, level of the Salmonella identification, and capabilities of the performing laboratory. On a sample basis, a range of 4 to 8 days is required to identify a Salmonella sp.