Indian Journal of Comparative Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Year : 2009, Volume : 30, Issue : 1
First page : ( 20) Last page : ( 22)
Print ISSN : 0790-9320. Online ISSN : 0974-0147.

Evaluation of a PCR assay for the detection of Salmonella from human clinical samples

Singh S., Agarwal R.K.*, Tiwari S.C.¹, Kumar K.

Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar - 243 122 (U.P.)

*Corresponding author: e.mail -rajeshbly@ivri.up.nic.in

¹Department of Botany and Microbiology, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar.

Abstract

A PCR assay targeting invA gene was examined for the detection of Salmonella from human clinical samples. Analysis of 100 human clinical samples by PCR and conventional methods revealed 9 and 5 samples, respectively, to be positive for Salmonella. Of the 42 fecal samples from diarrhoel patients examined, only 1 sample was positive by both PCR and conventional isolation. This lone isolate was identified as S. Typhimurium. Screening of 32 blood samples revealed 8 to be positive by PCR whereas, only 4 were positive by cultural method, all of which were identified as S. Paratyphi B. None of the 15 urine and 10 cerebral spinal fluid samples was positive by any of the two methods. In this study, PCR assay was found more sensitive technique in comparison to cultural isolation for the detection of Salmonella.

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