Project Number: 1265-32420-004-04
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Feb 01, 2006
End Date: Dec 31, 2007

Objective:
1. Evaluate the efficacy of the Warnex real-time PCR method to detect Salmonella spp. in foods. 2. Determine the sensitivity and specificity of above real-time PCR method. 3. Validation and application of a Warnex real-time PCR method for detection of Salmonella spp. in foods in comparison to the standard culture method.

Approach:
The specificity of the Warnex Salmonella PCR detection system will be evaluated using Salmonella and non-Salmonella spp. The detection limit of the system will be determined by analyzing various meats artificially contaminated with low levels of Salmonella. USDA conventional microbiological procedure will be used as a reference method to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the system. The reproducibility and deviations, if any, will be determined. Several naturally contaminated samples will be analyzed using the Warnex system in conjunction with reference method to determine its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.