Evaluation of commercial loop-mediated isothermal amplification based kit and ready-to-use plating system for detection of Salmonella in naturally contaminated poultry and their processing environment

• 3M MDA was highly sensitive, specific and complemented ISO reference method.
• 3M Petrifilm SALX system was sensitive, specific and complemented ISO method.
• 3M MDA is reliable in Salmonella detection in poultry and processing environment.
• 3M Petrifilm SALX system is reliable screening tool for Salmonella detection.

This current research evaluated the efficacy of two rapid methods: the 3M™ Molecular Detection Assay (MDA) and the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Salmonella Express (SALX) System against culture-based method for the detection of Salmonella in naturally contaminated poultry and their environment. One hundred forty five samples consisting of whole chickens, chicken cuts and environmental samples were analysed for the presence of Salmonella. 133 (91.7%), 124 (85.5%) and 123 (84.8%) samples were positive by the culture-based method, 3M MDA and 3M Petrifilm SALX System, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy for the 3M MDA were 93.2, 91.7, 55.0, 99.2 and 93.1%, respectively. Similarly, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy for the 3M Petrifilm SALX System were 92.5, 100.0, 54.5, 100.0 and 93.1%, respectively. Both 3M MDA and 3M Petrifilm SALX System yielded similar kappa results, indicating substantial agreement with the culture-based method. The data from this study therefore supports the use of the 3M Petrifilm SALX System and the 3M MDA as rapid and reliable screening methods for Salmonella detection in poultry and its processing environment.