Free On-Demand Webinar

In 2020, an investigation into the presence of Salmonella spp. in reformed chicken products was undertaken in response to an increase in Salmonella Enteritidis infections in the UK. The initial detection of Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak strains was achieved through the application of a RapidFinder PCR Kit. This serotype-specific PCR method was chosen due to previous success in tracking the spread of Salmonella Typhimurium in the food chain from slaughterhouse environmental samples.

In this webinar, Dr. Frieda Jørgensen, Senior Scientist, Health Protection England, outlines the current investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis, sharing how the Thermo Scientific RapidFinder Salmonella multiplex PCR test enables rapid detection of contaminated products. Jørgensen highlights how this method can be applied to primary and secondary enrichments, as well as for the confirmation of isolates, and was especially important in analysing products that were co-contaminated with other serovars where the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis was realised only as a result of the PCR.

Key learning points:

• The limitations of conventional culture methods for samples co-contaminated with several serovars
• The assay’s ease of laboratory uptake, robust calling of results, and reliable performance, regardless of whether applied to primary or secondary enrichments, for the confirmation of isolates, or use on challenging matrices
• Straightforward serotype-specific PCR in samples that would otherwise have evaded detection
• Rapid and more comprehensive identification of affected products for more effective intervention