Detection of OmpA gene by PCR for specific detection of Salmonella serovars

Abstract

Aim: The study was carried out to determine the sensitivity and specificity of OmpA gene in Salmonella serovarsthrough PCR.Materials and Methods: Aset of primers were designed targeting the OmpAgene specific for the Salmonella and polymerasechain reaction was standardized using Salomonella Typhimurium as a positive control and as a negative control 4 nonsalmonella cultures such as Campylobacter coli, Arcobacter butzleri, Brucella abortus and E. coli. Sensitivity of the test wasdetermined by serial dilution of genomic DNAof standard S. Typhimurium. The PCR standardized was used for screening 68strains of different serovars of Salmonella.Results: The PCR developed targeting OmpA specific for Salmonella was highly specific in detection of the salmonellaserovar alone and sensitivity was upto 68.8 fg. Atotal of 68 virulent/ natural strains of different serovars of salmonella takenup for the study were positive by OmpAbased PCR.Conclusions: This study reports that, OmpAgene which is conserved among Salmonella serovars can be used for the detectionof Salmonella in food or clinical samples in further studies, with high sensitivity and specificity.

Keywords

• OmpA
• PCR
• Salmonella