Compositions, kits and related methods for the detection and/or monitoring of salmonella

A method for detecting Salmonella in a sample, said method comprising:

• performing a nucleic acid amplification assay using a T7 provider oligonucleotide and a primer oligonucleotide, wherein said T7 provider oligonucleotide and primer oligonucleotide target a sequence within a region of Salmonella target nucleic acid corresponding to bases from about 150-425 of E. coli 23S rRNA, wherein said T7 provider oligonucleotide and primer oligonucleotide target opposite strands of the Salmonella nucleic acid sequence to be amplified, and whereby, if the Salmonella target nucleic acid is present, a Salmonella amplicon is produced;
• and
• detecting the presence or absence of the Salmonella amplicon in real-time using a fluorescently labeled molecular torch oligonucleotide, wherein said molecular torch oligonucleotide comprises a target binding domain that specifically hybridizes to a sequence within the Salmonella amplicon.

A composition for use in detecting Salmonella in a sample, said composition comprising:

• a T7 provider oligonucleotide and a primer oligonucleotide for generating a Salmonella amplicon in a nucleic acid amplification assay, wherein said T7 provider oligonucleotide and primer oligonucleotide target a sequence within a region of Salmonella target nucleic acid corresponding to bases from about 150-425 of E. coli 23S rRNA, and wherein said T7 provider oligonucleotide and primer oligonucleotide target opposite strands of the Salmonella nucleic acid sequence to be amplified;
• and
• a fluorescently labeled molecular torch oligonucleotide comprising a target binding domain that specifically hybridizes to a sequence within the Salmonella amplicon.

A kit for use in detecting Salmonella in a sample, said kit comprising:

• a T7 provider oligonucleotide and a primer oligonucleotide for generating a Salmonella amplicon in a nucleic acid amplification assay, wherein said T7 provider oligonucleotide and primer oligonucleotide target a sequence within a region of Salmonella target nucleic acid corresponding to bases from about 150-425 of E. coli 23S rRNA, and wherein said T7 provider oligonucleotide and primer oligonucleotide target opposite strands of the Salmonella nucleic acid sequence to be amplified;
• and
• a fluorescently labeled molecular torch oligonucleotide comprising a target binding domain that specifically hybridizes to a sequence within the Salmonella amplicon.