Evaluation of possible alternatives to double-strength skim milk used to saturate drag swabs for Salmonella detection.
The drag-swab Salmonella screening technique was evaluated using less expensive alternatives to double-strength skim milk (2 x SM) as a saturating medium for drag swabs. Ten pre-determined Salmonella-positive poultry houses were studied. In the first phase, Salmonella screening efficiency of drag swabs impregnated with 2 x SM and commercially available canned Carnation evaporated skim milk (CESM) were compared. Results showed CESM to be a less efficient alternative. In the second phase of the study, the Salmonella screening efficiency of drag swabs impregnated with 2% buffered peptone water (BPW), physiological saline (PS), and distilled water (DW) were evaluated along with an unimpregnated drag swab (dry drag swab) (DD) as possible alternatives to 2 x SM. The efficiency of Salmonella detection using various impregnation treatments were in the following order: 2 x SM > PS > BPW > DW > DD.
Opara
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Department of Microbiology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.
Carr
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Tate
C R
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Miller
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Mallinson
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Stewart
L E
LE
Joseph
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SW
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology*; D003611:Dairy Products; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008892:Milk; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000517:prevention & control*