Abstract
BackgroundSalmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) has become a significant pathogen in South Africa, and the need for improved molecular surveillance of this pathogen has become important. Over the years, multi-locus variable-number tandem-repeats analysis (MLVA) has become a valuable molecular subtyping technique for Salmonella, particularly for highly homogenic serotypes such as Salmonella Enteritidis. This study describes the use of MLVA in the molecular epidemiological investigation of outbreak isolates in South Africa.MethodsBetween the years 2013 and 2015, the Centre for Enteric Diseases (CED) received 39 Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from seven foodborne illness outbreaks, which occurred in six provinces. MLVA was performed on all isolates.ResultsThree MLVA profiles (MLVA profiles 21, 22 and 28) were identified among the 39 isolates. MLVA profile 28 accounted for 77% (30/39) of the isolates. Isolates from a single outbreak were grouped into a single MLVA profile. A minimum spanning tree (MST) created from the MLVA data showed a close relationship between MLVA profiles 21, 22 and 28, with a single VNTR locus difference between them.ConclusionsMLVA has proven to be a reliable method for the molecular epidemiological investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis outbreaks in South Africa. These foodborne outbreaks emphasize the importance of the One Health approach as an essential component for combating the spread of zoonotic pathogens such as Salmonella Enteritidis.
Highlights
Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) has become a significant pathogen in South Africa, and the need for improved molecular surveillance of this pathogen has become important
The outbreak isolates were analysed with multi-locus variable-number tandem-repeats analysis (MLVA) retrospectively and all the isolates belonged to MLVA profile 22 (Tables 2 and 3)
The outbreak isolates were analysed with MLVA retrospectively and all the isolates belonged to MLVA profile 28 (Tables 2 and 3)
Summary
Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) has become a significant pathogen in South Africa, and the need for improved molecular surveillance of this pathogen has become important. The global human health impact of nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is high, with an estimated 93.8 million illnesses, of which 80.3 million are reported to be foodborne related, and 155,000 deaths each year [4]. In Africa, NTS is commonly associated with invasive disease which leads to a high burden of morbidity and mortality [7,8,9]. In Africa, the burden of non-invasive Salmonella Enteritidis has not been established. It is estimated that Salmonella Enteritidis accounts for 33.1% of the Muvhali et al BMC Infectious Diseases (2017) 17:661 total invasive NTS infections [10]. Despite global efforts to curb its spread Salmonella Enteritidis infections persist, causing an on-going challenge to the global health system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
