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Salmonella antisera

Clinical relevance

The intestinal bacterium Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. The increased incidence of Salmonella infections in recent years has intensified the need for serotyping, which is an important tool for diagnostics and for the monitoring and control of food products.

Statens Serum Institut (SSI) has been involved since the 1930s in the development of the Salmonella typing system described in the Kauffmann–White scheme. This scheme describes the antigen composition of more than 2,500 identified Salmonella enterica serotypes and is an invaluable tool in Salmonella typing work. Full serotyping of Salmonella involves the use of antibodies against somatic O, capsular Vi, and phase 1 and 2 flagellar H antigens. Today, SSI　Diagnostica produces more than 200 different Salmonella antisera, which makes it possible to type more than 99% of all Salmonella serotypes. With the exception of antiserum Vi, all of our sera are polyclonal, produced by immunising rabbits. All polyclonal antisera are produced in accordance with "Guidelines for the preparation of Salmonella antisera" (ref.: WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Salmonella, Institut Pasteur, France).
Antiserum Vi is a monoclonal antiserum produced by culturing hybridoma cell lines in vitro and then concentrating the antibody from the culture supernatant. With the exception of the products Poly A-E+Vi, Poly A-I+Vi, Poly A-S+Vi, Poly 42-67 and Poly H, all Salmonella antisera are specific, achieved by testing with a large selection of strains and absorption of any known cross-reactions. Salmonella antisera from SSI Diagnostica are intended for either slide agglutination or H phase inversion on swarm agar plates.

Some O antisera cross-react with antigens from other bacteria, e.g. Citrobacter, Proteus and Shigella, as the O antigens from these species can be very similar to antigens in Salmonella. Before serotyping, it is therefore important that identification of Salmonella is confirmed, e.g. by means of biochemical reactions.

Competences

SSI Diagnostica collaborates closely with the reference centre for intestinal bacteriology in Denmark, which itself uses our sera. We can therefore offer sound expert advice in connection with use of our Salmonella products. The reference centre for intestinal bacteriology in Denmark may, by arrangement, carry out serotyping and genotypic analysis of Salmonella strains sent in. 

Quality

SSI Diagnostica's antisera are high quality, CE-marked and produced in accordance with DS/EN ISO 13485 and DS/EN ISO 9001. The shelf life is 4 years from the date of production, and a minimum of 2 years from the delivery date. Sodium azide 0.09% is added to all Salmonella sera as a preservative.

Support

Typing: Problematic Salmonella strains can be sent to the reference centre for intestinal bacteriology in Denmark, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark, for further investigation. Please contact SSI Diagnostica for prices.

Technical: Please send enquiries concerning use of our products to SSI Diagnostica, , tel.: +45 4829 9178.

Links to brochures, catalogues and package leaflets for the following products can be found under the respective product descriptions.

Product range

SSI Diagnostica's Salmonella antisera can identify O and H antigens and the capsular antigen Vi. Our Salmonella antisera are grouped as follows:

SSI Diagnostica also sells a Salmonella group kit and a Salmonella ID kit to determine, respectively, the most common Salmonella groups and identify the two most commonly occurring Salmonella serotypes, S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium. In addition we offer the option to combine antisera for identification of other Salmonella serotypes.

It is also possible to buy a limited range of Salmonella strains.