Real-Time PCR Detection of Salmonella in Suspect Foods from a Gastroenteritis Outbreak in Kerr County, Texas

In June 2001, an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis among 109 attendees of a church picnic in Kerr County, Texas, was reported. A 5′-nuclease PCR assay was used to screen for Salmonella in nine food items from the buffet line. Barbeque chicken B tested positive for Salmonella , and no amplification was detected in the remaining food items. These PCR findings were consistent with culture results and were confirmed by direct nucleotide sequencing....