Short Communication

Abstract

A total of 37 Salmonella isolates of 11 different serotypes and rough type from human and animal clinical cases and meat samples were studied for the presence of 8 virulence determinants including 4 virulence genes and 4 toxic factors. All the Salmonella isolates harboured invA and stn genes, whereas 94.59% of isolates had the presence of fimH and hilA genes indicating colonizing, invasive and enterotoxic potential of the pathogen. Among the four toxic factors studied, highest percentages of the isolates were positive for cytotoxicity (72.97%), followed by DNAse (70.27%), enterotoxic (51.35%) and hemolysin (13.51%) activities. All the isolates were found to be highly pathogenic as indicated by 100% mortality in mouse model. Among the different serotypes studied, Typhimurium and Paratyphi B var Java showed the presence of all the virulence determinants in varying degree. The 2 rough strains demonstrated least number of virulence determinants. Tshiongwe and Labadi serotypes were also devoid of enterotoxigenic, DNAse and hemolytic activities. Other serotypes also lacked 1-2 virulence factors. Salmonella isolates exhibited diverse virulence determinants and were highly pathogenic. All copyrights reserved to Nexus® academic publishers