The present research work was carried out for the screening of virulence genes associated with the Salmonella enterica isolated from commercial food stuffs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 134 samples of commercial food stuffs constituting of raw meats of poultry, pork, beef, raw eggs, dairy and bakery products were purchased from the departmental stores, supermarkets and local butcher shops of Salem, Erode and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Samples were aseptically processed for the isolation of S. enterica through broth enrichment methods. PCR was performed with various virulence genes specific primers of S. enterica. Microbiological investigations resulted in Salmonella isolates in 35 (26.11%) samples. In PCR, invasive gene (invA; 244bp), Salmonella enterotoxin gene (stn; 617bp), plasmid encoded fimbriae (pefA; 700bp), Salmonella Enteritidis fimbriae (sefC; 1103bp) and Salmonella plasmid virulence C gene (spvC; 571bp) were detected in 100%, 100%, 51.42%, 25.71% and 42.85% isolates respectively. Present study suggested that invA and stn virulence genes are much conserved in S. enterica isolated from commercial food stuffs and could be used independently as a gene marker for the rapid detection of the virulent strains of S. enterica. The prevalence of spvC gene is restricted into the isolates of a few definite sources. The result emphasized the risk of transferring these zoonotic organisms to human via food chain is impending danger for the mankind.

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