Evaluation of a colour test for rapid detection of Salmonella

The performance of a colour test (Wellcolex) for rapid detection of the most frequently isolated O serogroups of salmonella (A, B, C, D, E/G) and the Vi antigen was evaluated using colonies grown on enteric differential agar media and in selenite broth. The test had excellent sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%) with colonies taken directly from primary culture plates. Initial tests in selenite broth showed limited sensitivity (62.1%) but by using high quality media and modifying the inoculation procedure, sensitivity was greatly improved (99%).