An evaluation of a commercially available enzyme immunoassay test for the rapid detection of salmonellae in food and environmental samples.

A total of 91 food and environmental samples were examined for the presence of salmonellae using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay kit (EIA) and a conventional culture technique. A 78% agreement was obtained, but reexamination of culture-negative, EIA-positive samples gave agreement of 86%. The problem of comparing EIA and culture results is discussed. A partially selective pre-enrichment broth was tested in 37 samples and gave better EIA ratios. Artificially contaminated cooked foods gave 100% agreement.