Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in equine feces using the polymerase chain reaction and genus-specific oligonucleotide primers.

Salmonella was identified in feces from horses, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genus-specific oligonucleotide primers. Feces from healthy horses were determined to be culture negative and PCR negative for Salmonella. Fecal samples were inoculated with known numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) of S. enteritidis. The fecal samples were enriched overnight in tetrathionate broth, and then DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR using genus-specific primers. Sensitivity of the assay extended to 10 degrees CFU Salmonella enteritidis/g feces; sensitivity of microbiologic culture with enrichment extended to 10 degrees CFU Salmonella enteritidis/g feces. Feces that were not inoculated with S. enteritidis were negative by the PCR. Detection of salmonellae in feces was possible using the PCR within 24 hours from the time of submission of samples. Because samples were enriched, isolates were available for determining antibiograms and serologic grouping or typing.