Molecular Typing of Different Salmonella Serotypes by Multiple-Locus Analysis of Tandem Repeats

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica causes salmonellosis in humans and animals and is an important cause of food infections worldwide. In recent years, the multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA), a fast molecular typing method with strong epidemiological discrimination, has facilitated the effective control of diverse infections. This study aimed at the typing of 28 human origined Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella infantis, and Salmonella typhimurium strains by using a single MLVA protocol. Previously these strains have been identified by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method and it has been shown that each strain produced a distinct PFGE banding profile. One MLVA protocol was tested on 3 serotypes simultaneously and it produced three banding patterns specific to each of the three common Salmonella serotypes. MLVA also constitute a relatively more cost-effective and faster method than PFGE.