Sensitive and specific detection methods are important to understand the epidemiology of Salmonella and to develop appropriate control strategies. The risk of Salmonella contamination of pork is associated with subclinical Salmonella infections in pigs. In most epidemiological investigations, microbiological culture has been used to deterimine Salmonella infection status for infections on swine farms or at slaughter plants. However, identification of Salmonella by culture among subclinically infected pigs may be highly influenced by the intermittent shedding status of pigs. The types and volume of samples used for culture as well as culture protocol used in microbiological examination can influence the sensitivity of the method.