Validation of a Commercial Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)-Based Kit for the Detection of <i>Salmonella</i> spp. According to ISO 16140:2016

The traditional cultural method (PCR and Real-Time PCR) for Salmonella spp. detection and identification is laborious and time-consuming. A qualitative LAMP method detecting Salmonella spp. was validated in compliance with ISO 16140:2016. The results show a relative accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 100% in comparison with the reference method ISO 6579-1:2017; the LOD50 was set as 0.4 CFU/g. Additionally, a field study was carried out comparing the LAMP kit, a commercially available Real-Time PCR kit (FoodProof Salmonella, Biotecon Diagnostics), and the reference cultural method. The Salmonella spp. LAMP kit was suitable for reliable detection of Salmonella spp., simplifying and reducing the extent and the steps of the analytical process. A total of 105 samples of raw poultry meat were screened for the presence of Salmonella spp. according to three methods: the LAMP kit Salmonella spp. (Enbiotech), the Real-Time PCR kit FoodProof Salmonella (Biotecon), and the reference cultural method. Using these three methods, only one sample out of the 105 (0.95%) tested was positive for Salmonella spp. This sample was further investigated using the reference method described in ISO 6579-3:2014, in order to characterise the Salmonella strain. Following this further biochemical identification and serological typing, the isolate was characterised as Salmonella Infantis