Molecular Fingerprinting of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Typhi
Author Information
Author(s): M. D. Hampton, L. R. Ward, B. Rowe, E. J. Threlfall
Primary Institution: Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
Can plasmid profile typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis effectively differentiate between drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of Salmonella Typhi?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that PFGE and plasmid profile analysis can effectively discriminate multidrug-resistant isolates of Salmonella Typhi.
Supporting Evidence
- The incidence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhi in the UK increased from 1.5% in 1989 to 34% in 1995.
- Drug-sensitive isolates of Vi-phage types E1 and M1 were found to be plasmid-free.
- PFGE showed 19 to 23 fragments per strain, indicating genetic diversity among the isolates.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at different types of Salmonella bacteria to see how they resist medicine, and they found a way to tell the tough ones apart from the easy ones.
Methodology
The study used plasmid profile typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for molecular characterization and subdivision of Salmonella Typhi isolates.
Limitations
Further work is needed to establish the applicability of combining phage typing with plasmid typing and PFGE for studying the epidemiology of MDR S. Typhi.
Participant Demographics
The study included strains from patients infected in several countries of the Indian subcontinent and isolates from outbreaks in Tajikistan and the Dominican Republic.
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