Real-Time PCR Assay for Differentiation of Typhoidal and Nontyphoidal <i>Salmonella</i>

Abstract

Rapid and accurate differentiation of <i>Salmonella</i> spp. causing enteric fever from nontyphoidal <i>Salmonella</i> is essential for clinical management of cases, laboratory risk management, and implementation of public health measures. Current methods used for confirmation of identification, including biochemistry and serotyping as well as whole-genome sequencing analyses, take several days. Here we report the development and evaluation of a real-time PCR assay that can be performed directly on crude DNA extracts from bacterial colonies for the rapid identification of typhoidal and nontyphoidal <i>Salmonella</i>.