Using current molecular techniques for rapid differentiation of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium

Typhoid fever is responsible for the deaths of many people annually. However, conventional and time-consuming detection methods for Salmonella Typhi still dominate. By using a molecular based approach, it was possible to identify Salmonella Typhi by amplifying two specific genes (viaB and tyv) and by using RFLP analysis on the 16S rRNA gene as a first step for identification. We were also able to identify Salmonella Typhi using multiple gene targets in a single multiplex PCR reaction. Here we show that, as opposed to conventional methods, molecular based approaches are more rapid and should thus be used for any initial detection of Salmonella Typhi.