Examining Virulence Genes of Salmonella Enterica Isolated from Domestic Cats Suffering from Gastrointestinal Infection (Enteritis) with the Help of Multiplex PCR Molecular Technique

Salmonella is a rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria (bacillus) of the Enterobacteriaceae family and has many serotypes. Salmonella is transmitted through contaminated or raw food, feces, and saliva of sick animals. This study aimed to investigate the virulence genes of Salmonella enterica isolated from domestic cats suffering from gastrointestinal infection (enteritis) by Multiplex PCR (M-PCR) technique.

In this study, 50 stool samples of cats suffering from diarrhea were collected from veterinary clinics in Shiraz city and were transported to Bitaran laboratory in Shiraz city with full compliance with standard instructions. For the primary separation, buffered peptone water, selenite F broth, XLD, and SS agar were used. To confirm the diagnosis, biochemical tests such as TSI, urease, VP, indole, Simon citrate, and movement were used. Colonies were confirmed by biochemical tests and the M-PCR method was used to detect virulence genes rfs-ompC-spvR-spvC-invA.

In the present study, 6 isolates of Salmonella bacteria were obtained using the microbial culture method but in contrast, using the M-PCR method, 10 definite cases of Salmonella bacteria were detected for virulence genes rfs-ompC-spvR-spvC-invA.

M-PCR is more accurate than microbial culture, and traditional microbial culture methods are often time-consuming, tiring, and expensive. Therefore, it is suggested that the laboratories that work exclusively on salmonella gradually replace the traditional methods with the M-PCR method.