Evaluation of an automated immunomagnetic separation method for the rapid detection of Salmonella species in poultry environmental samples

Automated immunomagnetic separation (AIMS), using Dynabeads(TM) anti-Salmonella (Dynal, Oslo), was evaluated for its ability to detect Salmonella spp. in poultry environmental samples in comparison with standard, culture-based method (Health Canada, Health Protection Branch, MFHPB-20). AIMS was found to be more reliable in detecting Salmonella from artificially inoculated enrichment broths at low levels and exhibited a 15.5% higher sensitivity value than the culture method. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.