GENUS-SPECIFIC DETECTION OF SALMONELLAE USING THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION (PCR)

Oligonucleotide primers for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that e nable genus-specific detection of members of the genus Salmonella were developed. The primers amplify a 496-bp genetic sequence of members o f the genus Salmonella. Amplification of DNA extracted from all other genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae and various other gram-positiv e aerobic and anaerobic bacteria yielded negative results. Application s of the PCR using these genus-specific primers are discussed.