title: Molecular characterization of Salmonella strains in individuals with acute diarrhea syndrome in the State of Sucre, Venezuela.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Venezuela, acute diarrheic syndrome (ADS) is a primary cause of morbi-mortality, often involving the Salmonella genus. Salmonella infections are associated with acute gastroenteritis, one of the most common alimentary intoxications, and caused by the consumption of contaminated water and food, especially meat.
  
  
  METHODS
  Conventional and molecular methods were used to detect Salmonella strains from 330 fecal samples from individuals of different ages and both sexes with ADS. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the molecular characterization of Salmonella, using invA, sefA, and fliC genes for the identification of this genus and the serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest frequency of individuals with ADS was found in children 0-2 years old (39.4%), and the overall frequency of positive coprocultures was 76.9%. A total of 14 (4.2%) strains were biochemically and immunologically identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, of which 7 were classified as belonging to the Enteritidis serotype, 4 to the Typhimurium serotype, and 3 to other serotypes. The S. enterica strains were distributed more frequently in the age groups 3-4 and 9-10 years old.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The molecular characterization method used proved to be highly specific for the typing of S. enterica strains using DNA extracted from both the isolated colonies and selective enrichment broths directly inoculated with fecal samples, thus representing a complementary tool for the detection and identification of ADS-causing bacteria.
authors: Laboratório de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biomedicina y Ciencias Aplicadas Dra. Suzan Tai, Universidade de Oriente, Cumaná, Sucre, Venezuela.
authors: Hectorina
authors: H
authors: Rodulfo
authors: Marcos
authors: M
authors: De Donato
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Luiggi
authors: Elvia
authors: E
authors: Michelli
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Millán
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Michelli
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012475:Salmonella / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping; D014687:Venezuela; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial