Development of multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Salmonella genus, Salmonella subspecies I, Salm. Enteritidis, Salm. Heidelberg and Salm. Typhimurium

AIMS: The aim of this research was to develop multiplex PCR assay that could simultaneously detect Salmonella genus, Salmonella subsp. I, Salm. Enteritidis, Heidelberg and Typhimurium because these Salmonella serovars are the most common isolates associated with poultry products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five primers were utilized to establish multiplex PCR and applied to Salmonella isolates from chickens and farm environments. These isolates were identified as Salmonella subsp. I and 16 of 66 isolates were classified as Salm. Enteritidis, while Heidelberg or Typhimurium was not detected. We also spiked three Salmonella strains on chicken breast meat to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of multiplex PCR as well as qPCR to optimize quantification of Salmonella in these samples. The optimized multiplex PCR and qPCR could detect approx. 2·2 CFU of Salmonella per gram after 18 h enrichment. CONCLUSIONS: The multiplex PCR and qPCR would provide rapid and consistent results. Also, these techniques would be useful for the detection and quantification of Salmonella in contaminated poultry, foods and environmental samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The strategy for the rapid detection of Salmonella serovars in poultry is needed to further reduce the incidence of salmonellosis in humans. The optimized multiplex PCR will be useful to detect prevalent Salmonella serovars in poultry products.