Abstract

This research aims to measure the efficiency of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) testing as a diagnostic test of salmonella for animal sere in various livestock species. It included the collection of 250 serum samples from sheep, chickens, and cattle, which were sourced from several farms in Baghdad during the 2 months of the study. The aim was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA methods with whole cell and lipopolysaccharide antigens from the S. typhimurium DT104 strain. The study found the optimal serum dilutions to be S. typhimurium and 1:200 for S. enteritidis, with a conjugate dilution of 1:4000. These concentrations provided acceptable sensitivity and specificity. Maintaining the quality of the data was ensured through proper quality control, adherence to GLP protocols, and ethical practices as they pertained to animal research. The results show that compared to culture methods, ELISA is a more sensitive and specific test for salmonella, which lends itself to being an easier method of detection. Negatives and positive controls were also emphasised as important in claiming the effectiveness of the test. Statistics of ROC curve evaluation further demonstrated that it can determine the values of cut-off points of the optical density reading. The results emphasise the possibility of using ELISA as a quick and effective diagnostic method of Salmonella in food animals, which is necessary to protect food safety and public health. This study adds important perspectives to Salmonella infection control among food animals with the aim of reducing its economic burden on the agriculture industry by accentuating the evaluation of ELISA’s effectiveness.