Study identifies virulence factors for Salmonella

The ability of molecular assays to identify pathogenic strains of Salmonella, with an emphasis on S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium and S. Heidelberg, has been demonstrated in a project funded by the US Poultry and Egg Association, conducted at the USDA-ARS Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit.

In addition S. Infantis and S. Kentucky are regarded as potentially pathogenic food-borne Salmonella.

The study demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNIP) assays could identify the cyaA gene common to the major serotypes associated with food borne infections. Applying SNIP assay, a second gene ushA was identified in the major pathogenic serotypes.

The assays which were developed by the team could characterise between 90 and 100% of Salmonella isolates from environmental samples from poultry production or processing locations as being potentially pathogenic.

This study has application in epidemiologic investigations and to develop programs to limit Salmonella significant to food-borne infection.

Source: www.Egg-Cite.com