A Real-Time PCR Approach for Rapid Detection of Viable Enteritidis in Shell Eggs.

Rapid and robust detection assays for Enteritidis (SE) in shell eggs are essential to enable a quick testing turnaround time (TAT) at the earliest checkpoint and to ensure effective food safety control. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays provide a workaround for the protracted lead times associated with conventional diagnostic testing. However, DNA-based analysis cannot reliably discriminate between signals from viable and dead bacteria.