Rapid Screening of Salmonella Serovars Using PCR
Author Information
Author(s): Hong Yang, Liu Tongrui, Lee Margie D, Hofacre Charles L, Maier Marie, White David G, Ayers Sherry, Wang Lihua, Berghaus Roy, Maurer John J
Primary Institution: The University of Georgia
Hypothesis
Can a rapid multiplex PCR-based typing scheme effectively screen for prevalent Salmonella enterica serovars?
Conclusion
Multiplex PCR assays for detecting specific O and H antigen gene alleles can be a rapid and cost-effective alternative approach to classical serotyping for presumptive identification of S. enterica serovars Enteritidis, Hadar, Heidelberg, and Typhimurium.
Supporting Evidence
- The PCR method was able to distinguish among S. enterica serovars Enteritidis, Hadar, Heidelberg, and Typhimurium.
- The assays identified Salmonella with O and H antigen gene alleles representing 43 distinct serovars.
- The multiplex PCR accurately distinguished salmonellae belonging to serogroups B, C1, C2, and E1.
Takeaway
Scientists created a quick test to find certain types of Salmonella bacteria in food, which is usually a slow and expensive process.
Methodology
The study developed multiplex PCRs targeted to the O, H1, and H2 alleles associated with four S. enterica serovars and evaluated their effectiveness on 239 Salmonella isolates.
Limitations
The multiplex PCR cannot distinguish among serogroup/serovar variants that arise due to phage conversion and subtle point mutations in H2 antigen gene.
Participant Demographics
The S. enterica isolates were from multiple animal species, including human, poultry, livestock, and wildlife.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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